Samsung has responded to the recent controversy around the Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s Space Zoom feature. The company dismissed the accusations that its latest flagship captures “fake” photos of the Moon. It says the device uses AI-based scene optimization technology to enhance the details of the image. No image overlays are applied to the end result, an official statement from the Korean behemoth confirmed.
“Samsung is committed to delivering best-in-class photo experiences in any condition,” the Korean firm said in a statement to TomsGuide. “When a user takes a photo of the Moon, the AI-based scene optimization technology recognizes the Moon as the main object and takes multiple shots for multi-frame composition, after which AI enhances the details of the image quality and colors. It does not apply any image overlaying to the photo.”
The company added that disabling the AI-based Scene Optimizer will stop the Galaxy S23 Ultra from enhancing the details of the image. The end result will be just what the 200MP rear camera captures. The handset will not add any details to the photo.
“Users can deactivate the AI-based Scene Optimizer, which will disable automatic detail enhancements to the photo taken by the user,” the statement further read. Note that scene optimization also helps improve the quality of regular images and not just Moon photos.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra created non-existent details on a Moon photo
The controversy around the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Space Zoom began after a Redditor discovered that the device creates non-existent details on Moon photos. Redditor ibreakphotos used a setup that involved a blurry image of the Moon, a monitor, and the new Samsung flagship. They opened the blurry image with no details on the monitor (showing at 170×170 pixels), moved across the room, turned off all lights, and captured the Moon’s image on the monitor using a Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Despite the original image lacking details, the Samsung flagship identified it as a Moon and artificially added details to the photo it captured. The Galaxy S23 Ultra essentially upscaled a blurry image. Since this doesn’t happen with other blurry photos, the Redditor branded the phone’s Moon shots as “fake”.
They are technically correct too. The device artificially applied details to the photo even if it couldn’t capture any details. But Samsung contends that it is using AI to do that and that the results you get aren’t overlayed images.
Some might still call it false advertising. However, Samsung’s point isn’t wrong either. It has trained the Galaxy S23 Ultra to fill in details that its camera can’t capture when taking photos of the Moon. After all, the 200MP camera on its back is still too tiny to see everything on the Moon’s surface.
However, the device isn’t producing the photos itself. It just uses AI to enhance the details. It’s now up to you whether you accept AI enhancements of Moon photos or you’ll sit on the other side and call Samsung fake.
Creating your Bitcoin Cash (or BCH) can quickly be done in simple steps that we will check out in this blog post. By following the given steps, you can send, receive, and store your Bitcoin Cash easily without even relying on third-party services. Because there are many phony or fraudulent cryptos on the market, only use the most trusted platforms, such as the Chain Reaction trading. Here is a step-by-step process of how Bitcoin Cash works:
Mining: Bitcoin Cash generally operates on the Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism. The miners use powerful computers to solve complex mathematical equations that will help them verify the transactions on various networks. Once a miner solves this equation, the transaction is added to a blockchain, and the miner gets awarded the minted BCH coins.
Transactions: Transactions on the Bitcoin Cash network are pretty similar to Bitcoin. Users will be able to send & get BCH coins to one another. Transactions can be recorded on a blockchain, a public ledger for anybody to access. These transactions are confirmed by miners, which help in preventing double-spending.
Wallets: Users require a wallet to store the BCH coins. These wallets come in different forms, including hardware wallets, software wallets, and paper wallets. Hardware wallets are considered highly secure as they need to be better connected to the world wide web. The software wallets are simple to use as well as susceptible to hacking. You’ll need to download the Bitcoin Cash Core wallet, which can be found on the official website of Bitcoin Cash. It’s free, secure, and open-source software. After downloading and installing it on your device, you can create a Bitcoin Cash wallet by generating a unique 12-word passphrase. Ensure you keep the passphrase safe, as it is the only way to access the BTC Cash wallet.
Block limit: Next difference between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash is its block size limit. There is no doubt BTC has a block size limit, say around 1MB, while Bitcoin Cash has a block limit of more than 32 MB. It means more and more transactions are processed on the Bitcoin Cash network, which helps reduce transaction times and fees. When you have this wallet adequately set up, it is essential to fund this with BCH. You can purchase them with cash or through exchanges online. That depends upon where you can buy them; transaction fees and processing time will vary. It is important to note that a few exchanges may need you to register the account before buying and selling BCH.
Once you’ve funded your Bitcoin Cash wallet, you must provide the wallet address you want to send BCH. To do this, go to the Receive tab and click the “Copy Address” button. This will provide you with the public address, which you can use to receive BCH from any sender. Make sure you verify the address with the sender before sending any funds.
Nodes: Nodes are the computers connected to the Bitcoin Cash network. These nodes help maintain the integrity of the network by verifying the transactions and blocks. Nodes are run by anybody and help to decentralize this network.
Forks: Bitcoin Cash was designed because of the hard fork in this Bitcoin blockchain. A hard fork is one significant change to blockchain protocol, which isn’t backward compatible. It means that the nodes that don’t upgrade to the new protocol are left behind.
Adoption: The adoption of Bitcoin Cash is now growing, with a lot of businesses and merchants accepting it as the payment method. BCH is used to pay for goods and services so that it can be exchanged for various other cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies. The final step is to send Bitcoin Cash to another wallet. To do this, you’ll need to enter the public address of the receiver and the amount of BCH you wish to send. You can then confirm the transaction by double-checking the address and the amount before you proceed. Once it’s confirmed, your funds should be on the way and will reach the receiver within minutes.
In conclusion, Bitcoin Cash operates similarly to Bitcoin, but with a larger block size limit, which allows for faster and cheaper transactions. The network is decentralized and is maintained by nodes and miners. BCH can be stored in different types of wallets, and it is growing in popularity as a payment method.
If you use Google Play Games for PC, then there are some exciting games coming your way soon. According to Android Police, popular games like Angry Birds 2 and Garena are coming to Google Play Games for PC.
Back in 2021, Microsoft announced that Windows 11 would support Android apps. Well, not to be outdone, Google started testing a Google Play Games launcher for Windows PCs. This lets you install and play games available on the Play Store right on your computer.
Google has been working with different developers to make their games compatible with larger screens. Also, these games can be played with controllers/mouse and keyboards. This gives you a full PC gaming experience while playing the games.
At the moment, this is still in beta, and you can try it out for yourself. Google Play Games for PC is available in 13 markets including the US.
Angry Birds 2 and more games are coming to Play Games for PC
At the moment, the library of available games isn’t quite expansive, but more titles are being added as time goes on. Right now, there are 104 games available to install. This list includes games like Asphalt 9: Legends, Genshin Impact, Dragonball Legends, Rise of Empires, Zen Koi 2, GrimValor, and Summoner’s War: Chronicles. If you play them, you can expect a well-optimized gaming experience.
Now, there are some more titles coming to the game launcher. Firstly, what’s probably the most popular game on this list is Angry Birds 2. It’s the official sequel to the ever-popular Angry Birds.
Next, we have Gerena Free Fire. This is a multiplayer battler royale game similar to PUBg and Fortnite. You’re launched from a plane to the battlegrounds. You need to gather weapons and armor and fight your way through the competition. If you’re the last one standing, you win.
Ludo Kings takes the classic board game and brings it to the small screens. These are just some of the games that are coming to the platform. Keep an eye out for them. If you’re interested in trying out Google Play Games for PC, you can click here.
Development of the system of Finance is crucial for every country of the world. Regardless of the nation, you live in; you will find things sophisticated when modern technology is updated. So, when you are living in China and want to make sure that you are using the most technologically advanced option of Finance, you will go for the Digital yuan on the Yuan Pay Group. It is one of the crucial things you will use in the modern world of the Chinese government as it is a digital token launched by the central bank digital currency. You need to know that the Chinese government has launched it; therefore, it can provide many advantages that the Fiat money system cannot.
There are going to be plenty of things that are required to be kept in mind when you are willing to use the Digital yuan. Moreover, safety and security should be your priority when using the Digital yuan, which is why you need to understand how the wallets will work. Yes, there is a diversity of wallets you will find in the digital tokens market, and you have to pick the one that will be the most suitable for your digital tokens. Even though there are many options available, you will need help to pick the safest one. So, appropriate information about the types is crucial, and today, we will provide you with the information about the same.
Different types
When the digital tokens market was created, plenty of options were infused in the same, and you will see that many other choices are available. But, as long as there is going to be a lack of choices in your hands, you will find things to be complicated. But let us tell you that today, making money out of the Digital yuan will be sophisticated if you adopt the modern means of making money. So, if you wish to use the Digital yuan for generating income, use the best wallet we will define below.
One of the crucial types of wallet you are supposed to use in cryptocurrency trading or digital market trading is the best. Yes, you need to know the Digital yuan is a digital token that is required to be supported with the best level of safety and security, and it can be provided by the hardware wallet only. It is a device that will come along in the form of a small pen drive or something else, and you can use it wherever you want, regardless of any problem.
Website types of wallets are also reliable in the modern world. It is optional that you will have your digital hardware wallet when you are travelling or trading in digital tokens. In such a situation, going for the website wallet is also a good option. It is very easily accessible, and you must use the genuine one. The only problem is that you may need help to check the website’s originality; therefore, you can lose money on this one.
Software wallets are also popular in the market of digital tokens. Even though it is complicated to use this kind of wallet more than the other wallets, you will find these wallets provide you with the best quality of services available. But, yes, the more complications, the more difficult it will be to make money out of the digital tokens. So, to eliminate all the hurdles from your path of achieving success in digital tokens, make sure to use a software wallet.
You may also find paper wallets in the digital token market, but let us tell you that there are more reliable options than this. If you are willing to stay entirely with modern technology, you will not be willing to use this one. Moreover, it is always considered the most complicated type of digital wallet you will use because it is easy. You are going to find the Digital yuan very difficult to store in these wallets because it comes in the form of a QR code. Ultimately, these wallets are linked to a digital space, but you will use paper.
Last words
In the above points, we have provided you with some vital information associated with the wallet that you can use to store your Digital yuan. The digital token ecosystem is well developed everywhere in the world; therefore, regardless of location, you must be very well aware of them. So, if you have plans to use Digital yuan, make sure to go with the hardware wallet because it can provide you with the best security and some of the extraordinary features of digital yuan.
When it comes to short-form vertical video app TikTok, President Joe Biden’s administration sounds very much like the previous administration. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Biden administration is threatening TikTok’s owner that the app will be banned in the U.S. unless Chinese company ByteDance divests its interest in TikTok. The report said that The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., or CFIUS, made the demand recently.
CFIUS investigates the possible risks to the U.S. when a transaction involving a stateside firm and a foreign company is made. TikTok says that forcing ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok will not affect the security risk that the Biden administration is worried about. 60% of ByteDance shares are owned by global investors with the remaining 40% owned 50%-50% by employees and the company’s founders.
TikTok parent ByteDance proposed spending $1.5 billion to keep user data out of the hands of the Chinese government
TikTok spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter said in a statement, “If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: a change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access. The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing.”
Former President Donald Trump tried to get U.S. companies to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations
In order to please concerned administration officials, ByteDance said that it would spend $1.5 billion to prevent personal data and content from U.S. TikTok users from falling into the clutches of the Chinese government. Under this plan, ByteDance’s U.S. operations would be walled off from the rest of the firm and all data would be held in the U.S. The plan would give U.S. company Oracle access to inspect ByteDance’s algorithms for U.S. inspectors.
In 2020, then President Donald Trump threatened to ban TikTok in the U.S. unless its operations in the states were sold to American-owned firms. In September of that year, Trump claimed to have a deal in place to sell the U.S. operations of TikTok to Walmart and Oracle, but that transaction never closed. TikTok went to court to block a federal ban. Trump also dropped the matter so that he could focus on the upcoming election.
The concern is that TikTok has been accused of keeping user data from U.S. subscribers and uses its in-app keyboard (on the iOS app) to record keystrokes. In addition, in China, the law requires Chinese companies to turn over customer data if requested. As a result, critics of TikTok in the U.S. say that this plan doesn’t go far enough since it doesn’t address the possibility that the Chinese government could demand that ByteDance turn over data collected from U.S. TikTok users.
Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, refused to say whether Biden would ban TikTok if the bill passes and gives the president the ability to block the app in the U.S. The White House did say that it had “concerns with this particular app.” Ms. Jean-Pierre added, “We want to make sure that the digital products and services Americans use every day are safe and secure.”
Bipartisan legislation could allow U.S. Commerce Department to ban troubling foreign technology
Any resolution of this issue could still be months away and TikTok chief executive, Shou Zi Chew is scheduled to appear before the House Energy and Commerce Committee next week to answer questions from lawmakers. The main focus will be on the security issues that have the Biden administration anxious to ban TikTok in the U.S.
Bipartisan legislation proposed by Senator Mark Warner (D., Va.), the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Senator John Thune (R., S.D.), the Senate Republican whip,
would require the Commerce Department to create a process to potentially ban troubling technology from foreign countries. In a statement, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said, “This legislation would empower the United States government to prevent certain foreign governments from exploiting technology services operating in the United States in a way that poses risks to Americans’ sensitive data and our national security.”
Last month, in response to a question about TikTok by an interviewer, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said, “Our intelligence community has been very clear about China’s efforts and intention to mold the use of this technology using data in a worldview that is completely inconsistent with our own.”
Samsung is rolling out the March 2023 Android security patch to the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21, and Galaxy Note 20 phones in the US. The former two lineups have already picked up the latest security update in some international markets but the rollout for the Note series is beginning stateside.
The March SMR (Security Maintenance Release) for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra is widely available in the US. The update comes with the firmware build number S90*USQS2CWB7 for carrier-locked units and S90*U1UES2CWB7 for unlocked devices. Samsung has already released the patch for devices on most networks. The remaining few should also join the party soon. Don’t expect any new features, though. As the official changelog reveals, you’re only getting this month’s vulnerability fixes.
The story is pretty much the same for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra as well. Samsung is pushing the March SMR to its 2021 flagships in the US with firmware versions G99*USQS5EWB3 (carrier-locked) and G99*U1UES5EWB5 (unlocked). Once again, the rollout is widely available on most networks. And as you can see in the changelog here, there’s nothing much that the latest vulnerability fixes. The previous update (One UI 5.1) for the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 series contained plenty of goodies.
The Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are picking up the March update in the US ahead of all other markets. The new firmware version for the carrier-locked units is N98*USQS3HWB7, while that for the factory-unlocked devices is N98*U1UES3HWB7. And we’re repeating ourselves: there’s no new feature or user-facing change in tow here. Samsung is only pushing the latest security patch. Galaxy Note 20 users in other markets, including the US, should get this update in the coming days.
March update for Galaxy devices contains over 60 vulnerability patches
This month’s security update for Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones and tablets patches more than 60 vulnerabilities. Around 20 of those are Galaxy-specific flaws, including at least a couple of high-severity ones. The Korean firm patches issues with System UI, Exynos baseband, Galaxy Themes Service, Samsung Keyboard, Bluetooth, and more system components.
The remaining vulnerability patches this month address issues in Android OS and other partner components that make up Galaxy devices. At least five of those flaws were labeled “critical” by Google. Samsung will push these vulnerability fixes to more eligible Galaxy devices in the coming days, including the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 foldables. We will keep you posted on those releases.
The iPhone 14 has now been out for a few months, so it’s time to start turning our attention to the iPhone 15, even though we aren’t expecting to see it until September 2023. Leaks have already started for Apple’s newest iPhone, so here’s everything you need to know about the new iPhone 15.
In this preview, we are going to tell you everything we know about every aspect of the new iPhone 15. Including what models are coming, when it’s coming, specs, and so much more. We will be updating this as often as needed, leading up to the September 2023 launch date.
When will the iPhone 15 series be released?
While we don’t know for sure when the iPhone 15 will be announced, it is very likely to happen in the first half of September. Generally, the first full week of September, after Labor Day. Though in 2022, the iPhone 14 was announced two days after Labor Day, instead of the week after.
With pre-orders opening the following Friday, and it being available the Friday after.
So the short answer here is, September 2023.
What models are coming?
We likely won’t know for sure what models are coming until later in 2023, but we expect the lineup to be the same as the 14 series. That would include:
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
How much will the iPhone 15 cost?
In 2022, with the iPhone 14 series, prices did increase outside of the US. However, the US did keep the same prices. So if that continues for the iPhone 15 series, here’s how much the models would cost.
iPhone 15 – $799
iPhone 15 Plus – $899
iPhone 15 Pro – $999
iPhone 15 Pro Max – $1,099
What will the iPhone 15 look like?
The iPhone 15, specifically the Pro model, is set for a pretty big design change. Both are going to be getting rounded sides once again. Think back to the iPhone X, XS and 11 models. Which many people want to see make a comeback anyways. One thing that is very apparent here is that the sides will be a whole lot softer, compared to the iPhone 13 and 14 series.
The bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro models are set to be a whole lot thinner this year, which is resulting in the iPhone 15 Pro actually getting a larger display. Going from 6.1-inch to a 6.2-inch display. Not a huge difference, but by decreasing the bezels so much, it can keep the same physical size while increasing the actual display size.
The cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro are also getting another bump. From the CADs that we have seen so far, the iPhone 15 Pro is going to have a camera bump almost as thick as the actual phone itself. Which is rather crazy, but also expected, as there is a periscope camera being added this year.
Many are also speculating that the buttons will no longer be available on the iPhone, starting with the 15. In these CAD files, we see something there that looks like they could be solid stat buttons. But I’d venture to guess that the buttons are just missing. I don’t really think Apple would remove them just yet. There would be a whole lot of uproar if they removed the mute switch too.
What features will the iPhone 15 have?
The iPhone 15 is set to get a bunch of new features, and that’s not because Apple wanted to add them. A lot of changes are expected in 2023 for Apple, because of the EU. For example, the EU is forcing Apple to add USB-C to all iPhones sold in Europe by 2024. It is also forcing Apple to open the iPhone up a bit, and allow third-party app stores. Though that will be more of an iOS 17 feature vs an iPhone 15 feature.
But here’s the features that are currently being rumored for the iPhone 15 series.
USB-C
When Apple confirmed to the WSJ a few months ago that its next iPhone would have USB-C, a lot of people were excited. Including yours truly. However, it’s not all good news. While Apple is being forced to USB-C, it’s not including the faster data speeds that typically come with USB-C. Instead, you’ll be stuck on USB 2.0 speeds, the same as the current Lightning port.
However, the “Pro” models will get “at least” USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Which is going to be yet another feature to differentiate the vanilla iPhone models from the Pro models.
While that is a bummer, how many people are actually transferring data via a cable on their iPhone everyday? Or even often at all? Likely not that many. So it’s likely not as big of a deal as the tech media makes it out to be.
More Dynamic Islands
In 2022, the iPhone 14 Pro came with a new “notch” which was a hole-punch display, sort of. It has a pill shape cut out because Face ID uses more sensors than facial recognition does on Android, making it more secure. But instead of just having it there, Apple decided to embrace it, and include software. Calling it the Dynamic Island. It also is incorporating Live Activities (announced with iOS 16 at WWDC), making it a pretty cool software feature.
Now, this was only available on the iPhone 14 Pro models. But with the iPhone 15 models, rumor has it that it will be available on all models. This rumor comes from Ross Young, who has been pretty spot on with these rumors.
Better cameras, somehow
The cameras on the iPhone 14 are already really good. But Apple is somehow going to improve them even more in 2023. That is likely due to both hardware and software upgrades actually. It’s expected that Apple will use a new imaging sensor from Sony. This will likely be reserved for the “Pro” models, just as the new 48-megapixel camera was in the iPhone 14 models.
But that’s not all, as Apple is also rumored o be adding a periscope lens to the iPhone 15 in 2023. This would be capable of 5x or 6x optical zoom. These folded zoom cameras have become quite popular on high-end Android flagships for a while. So it’ll be good to see this coming to the iPhone.
Still no Touch ID
Despite many leaks and rumors surrounding the iPhone 14, the iPhone 15 still won’t bring back Touch ID. Though the technology isn’t dead – since it is in the Magic Keyboard and iPad Air – it’s not going to be available on the iPhone 15.
iPhone 15 Ultra
There are some rumors coming out of Bloomberg this year, that Apple might replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max with an Ultra model. Which would make sense after releasing the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022.
This new iPhone 15 Ultra is set to be more than just a larger “Pro” iPhone. Instead, it would use a new titanium finish, and likely some upgraded internals as well. Which is going to make it a lot heavier, and more expensive. So be prepared for that.
New chipset and modem
The new iPhone 15 models could be the first ones to use a new A-series chipset built on TSMC’s next-generation 3-nanometer node. This new 3nm chipset is expected to increase processing performance by about 10-15%. While also reducing the power consumption by up to 30%. That’s going to help improve battery life, and where Apple typically puts in a larger battery every other year, the battery life on the iPhone 15’s could be pretty impressive.
Apple will be sticking with Qualcomm for its modem in the iPhone 15. It is expected to use the Qualcomm X70 modem. This has improved AI for faster processing speeds, a better coverage range, improved signal, lower latency and up to 60% improved power efficiency. Apple has been using Qualcomm’s modems off and on for the entire life of the iPhone. But since adding 5G with the iPhone 12, it has exclusively used Qualcomm.
Should you wait to buy the iPhone 15, or just get the iPhone 14?
Depending on when you are reading this, it might make more sense to wait for the iPhone 15, instead of getting an iPhone 14 model. If you’re reading this in the Summer of 2023, then it’s a good idea to wait. Even if you do get the iPhone 14, as the prices will drop once the iPhone 15 is announced.
However, if you need a new phone right away, then you shouldn’t wait. Just get an iPhone 14. It’s still a good phone and you won’t be disappointed by it.
Rockstar video-sharing platform TikTok has been at odds with the US government for a while. It’s believed that the platform poses a major security risk, and this caused it to be banned from government officials’ phones. Now, it seems that TikTok could divest itself from its parent company ByteDance, according to Bloomberg. This is if a certain deal between TikTok and the US government falls through.
The reason why TikTok is being fingered as a security risk is that it’s a Chinese-owned company. A platform as heavily ad-ridden as TikTok needs to collect data from its users to deliver relevant ads to its users to encourage clicks. The more data it collects, the more accurately it can target its ads.
However, as you can imagine, the US government doesn’t like so much being collected and stored by a Chinese company. TikTok is a huge brand; its app is stored on over a billion devices. Millions of them are from the States. That’s a lot of data being collected from American users.
TikTok could divest from ByteDance
Right now, TikTok is working with the American government to quiet some of its concerns about national security. It’s been working on a project called “Project Texas”.
This is a multi-tier plan that will include having Oracle, an American company, host the data collected from US users. The company will also review TikTok’s software. This deal will also bring a three-person oversight board to keep an eye on the company.
While this plan sounds like it could help reassure us, we’re not sure that it will go through. For starters, certain members of the Justice Department have not accepted TikTok’s approval. That doesn’t bode well for TikTok.
Not only that, but TikTok is still facing an uphill battle with American lawmakers. There are several bills proposed by lawmakers that would actually require the separation of TikTok and ByteDance.
Right now, the future of this deal is still unclear. TikTok still has a long way to go to see that this deal will happen.
There are many different smart video doorbells on the market right now. Of course, we all know of the Ring, Nest, and Arlo video doorbells that are available on the market. But there are a few other options out there, however, which ones are the best for your home? That’s what we are aiming to find out with this list.
In this list, we are rounding up the best smart video doorbells, and will also be listing which digital assistant(s) they work with. To help you make an informed decision on which one you should buy.
Best Smart Video Doorbells
Here, you’ll find smart video doorbells from Arlo, Nest, Ring and many others. These are available in all sorts of price ranges. From under $100, to over $300. So there’s something here for everyone.
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the latest doorbell from Ring. It offers up a square camera lens, which allows it to be ultrawide on the x and y axis. So you’ll be able to see all the way down to the persons feet. As well as packages sitting on your porch. So it’s easier to find those porch pirates.
It still uses Ring’s popular quick release battery. Making it super easy to replace the battery when the time comes. Depending on your usage, the battery should last around a month on a full charge.
The Blink Video Doorbell is a cheap one, but not a bad option. It does have all of the usual features that you’d expect from a video doorbell. Like two-way audio, HD video recording and it can even last up to two years on a single charge. Which is a theme with Blink products, since its cameras can last nearly as long.
Instead of rechargeable batteries, it uses two AA batteries. So you don’t need to worry about recharging them. Just pop in a new pair of batteries and you’re on your way.
There are many video doorbells on the market today, but the Arlo Smart Video Doorbell made our smart home gift guide because it works well with the other Arlo cameras. And it’s also less expensive compared to the other models.
There is a wide-angle camera built into this video doorbell, so it can see your entire front yard, and the ground in front of your door. Allowing you to see who is attempting to steal your Amazon packages. The Arlo Video Doorbell can send you notifications when it sees movement, as well as when someone presses the button on the doorbell. So even if they don’t want you to know they are there, you’ll know.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is the video doorbell to pick up for your home. It’s a really great gift, as you can watch and see who is taking your packages, or know who is at the door before they ring the doorbell.
With the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, you’re getting a wide-angle camera that can see all the way to the ground in front of your home. And the ability to interact with people via your smartphone, or even your Alexa products. Like the Echo Show or the Fire TV, which is really unique.
Blue has all of your favorite and expected features for a smart video doorbell. That includes getting alerts on your smartphone, as well as being able to see what’s going on at any time.
But where Blue really stands out, is in the compatible with ADT, if you already have ADT for your security system, then it is a really great smart video doorbell to add to your home.
The RemoBell S is a great video doorbell to pick up, and perhaps the cheapest on this list. It does require existing doorbell wiring, which is part of why it’s so much cheaper. As there is no battery inside to power it.
It can record your front yard and see what’s going on, giving you notifications and more. There is no subscription required, so it can record and keep everything for you. Without having to pay anything extra. Which is always nice.
The Nest Video Doorbell is one of the better looking doorbells on the market, and it works really well with the Google Assistant. It can give you notifications for motion, people and pets outside of your home. It also has “Known Faces” so it can tell you who it sees as well.
This doorbell is only available as a battery model, so you don’t need to worry about doorbell wiring. The battery will last you about a month on a charge, depending on how much you have it set to record. And it works well with the other Nest products on the market.
This is the fourth-generation of the original Ring Video Doorbell. The Ring Video Doorbell 4. It can stream video from your doorbell at 1080p HD resolution, with night vision. So you can see what’s happening outside your home, even at night. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 does also come with the corner mount, so that the doorbell is tilted a bit, giving you a better look at your porch, front yard and potentially your driveway.
It still includes a removable battery, which is now easier than ever to remove and charge. And you also have multiple batteries that you can buy and replace in your new Ring Video Doorbell 4.
The eufy Video Doorbell is a great option for those that use either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and aren’t super invested in one over the other. eufy is a division of Anker, so this isn’t just some no-name video doorbell. But a good, and cheap video doorbell.
For $100, you’re getting a wireless chime that you can plug in your home and have it act as a regular doorbell. It has a camera, so you’ll still get alerts on your phone when something happens outside of your home. And with two-way audio, you can speak to whoever is out there too.
This is the video doorbell for those in apartments. This fits over the peephole on your door, and people that come to your door can easily press the button like a regular doorbell, and allow you to see who is at the door, without going to your door.
Now depending on the type of apartment you live in, the Ring Peephole Cam may not be the best choice. But it is a really good option. You still get all of the usual features for Ring, like the ability to see who’s there, two-way audio and such. It also works with Amazon Alexa.
There has been a recent cyber attack on Amazon’s popular security camera company, Ring, which was attributed to a ransomware group ALPHV that uses the BlackCat malware.
This group has now claimed responsibility for the attack and is now threatening to leak the data from the company.
There are at least two thousand police departments around the country that have partnered with Amazon to make sharing footage with law enforcement as easy as possible for their users.
It is no secret that the cameras and the footage they take, often posted online, have become so popular. In response, Amazon launched a television show called “Ring Nation,” which is a variety show around Ring cameras that includes mostly bloopers recorded by the cameras.
It is important to note that after the news of the data breach broke out, in a statement issued to Motherboard, Ring said it did not have evidence that any of its systems had been compromised but that a third-party vendor had been infected with ransomware.
A Ransomware Gang Claims to Have Hacked Ring
As part of the attack, ALPHV raised the alarm, saying that its malware, BlackCat, had been used to carry out the attack. Affiliate groups of victims who refuse to pay the ransom have access to a searchable database created by the BlackCat malware authors.
ALPHV has a dedicated “leak site,” as do many other groups of this kind, where its members selectively release data they have stolen during an attack. This week, ALPHV posted a message on its page for Ring that states:-
“There’s always the option to let us leak your data…”
But after the post, the threat actors have not posted anything about it.
No Customer Data Has Been Affected
The fact that companies initially deny that a hack has compromised customer data is not uncommon, but in reality, the data has been compromised due to a security breach.
A privacy and security practice of Ring has drawn controversy in the past since third parties are used to collect and share information about its users and its own privacy practices.
Although Ring claims that it prioritizes the security and privacy of its customers, we have seen numerous instances where these claims have failed to live up to the claims and have resulted in harming the customers and community members who use Ring.
As of now, Ring has not confirmed whether or not the hackers were able to access any of its users’ data, so there is not yet any guidance for Ring users on how to deal with the situation.
Almost all Ring doorbells and security cameras are compatible with E2EE (end-to-end) encryption, which is available in most regions. Therefore, neither any government entity, hackers, nor even its parent company, Amazon, will be able to access the footage that has been uploaded.
