Motorola Edge 50 Ultra stars in 5 short video clips

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We’ve exclusively shared the design of the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra quite recently. Those images left very little to the imagination, but Evan Blass has just shared some short video clips of the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.

The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has appeared in 5 short video clips

These clips allow you to take a closer look at the phone’s design in the video format as well. The longest clip has a duration of 24 seconds, while the rest of them are much shorter than that. The one below, for example, gives us a good look at the phone’s back side, and how the phone’s display curves into the frame.

You can clearly see the three cameras on the back. Yes, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra will include a periscope telephoto camera too, and it will offer a 5x optical zoom. Its max zoom capability will go way above that, though.

Take a closer look at the phone’s display

The video embedded below this paragraph shows the phone’s display. It shows it in both portrait and landscape orientations. You can clearly see how thin the bezels are here. On top of that, the screen curvature is shown, and the display camera hole, which is centered.

The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra will be water and dust resistant

You will find three videos embedded below this paragraph. They are focused on the display. The videos show off the display in general, and its display durability. One of the videos also teases the phone’s water and dust resistance.

The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is coming in three colors, including Peach Fuzz, the Pantone Color of the Year for 2024. That color and the Black model will have a vegan leather backplate. The Beige model will feature glass on its back.

If you’d like to know more about the phone, check out our exclusive leak from last week. We’ve also shared some details and images of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro and the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion.


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One UI 6.1 brings screen burn-in protection to Samsung devices

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Samsung has brought back the pixel shift feature to Galaxy devices. The One UI 6.1 update, which started rolling out to eligible devices last week, has the feature. Designed to prevent screen burn-in issues on OLED displays, the feature was surprisingly missing on One UI 6.0.

Samsung re-introduces screen burn-in protection with One UI 6.1

OLED displays feature pixel shift technology that periodically moves UI elements on the screen around by a few pixels. This prevents a pixel from retaining the image permanently. Known as screen burn-in, this can permanently damage a pixel. The feature is found on large OLED screens such as TVs and monitors, as well as some smartphones, including Samsung Galaxy.

However, Samsung removed it from the Galaxy devices with the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update, leaving them vulnerable to screen burn-in. It was unclear whether the company did it intentionally or inadvertently. Thankfully, the Korean firm has corrected the error quickly. One UI 6.1, which debuted with the Galaxy S24 series and is rolling out to older models brings the feature.

Pixel shift works as intended on the Galaxy S24 and Toranji confirmed the same on the Galaxy S23 following the One UI 6.1 update. The publication shared a GIF showing the feature in action. As you can see in the image below, the UI elements on the status bar move slightly every few minutes. This also happens with the navigation bar and other UI elements that continuously appear in the same place on the screen.

Samsung One UI 6 1 screen burn in

This screen burn-in protection should also be available on other Galaxy devices with the One UI 6.1 update. The new One UI version has rolled out to the Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Tab S9 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in some markets. Samsung will soon push the update to more flagships and mid-range models. Devices launched before 2021 are not eligible for One UI 6.1.

Older models miss out on Photo Ambient Wallpaper

The One UI 6.1 update brought several new features from the Galaxy S24 to the Galaxy S23 and other older Samsung flagships. However, a few are missing, including Photo Ambient Wallpaper. It offers dynamic lock screen and home screen animations based on the weather and time. If it is raining outside, the wallpaper is dynamically updated to reflect that. Unfortunately, Samsung didn’t bring it to the Galaxy S23 and other devices with the One UI 6.1 update. Older models get the AI-powered Generative wallpaper feature.


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Samsung SmartThings expands partnership with Philips Hue

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Samsung’s global connected living platform, Samsung SmartThings, recently announced its expanded partnership with Philips Hue, a global leader in smart lightning. SmartThings is already one of the leading smart home names while being a competitor of Apple HomeKit and Google Nest, and this partnership’s expansion can take things to the next level.

Philips Hue has lights for every occasion, so it is no surprise that they are the choice for SmartThings to go for the mood creation of their home system. While the Hue Sync TV app will be available in 2022 or later manufactured Samsung TVs and, in the Q60 and higher range, this expansion will hugely benefit users and change how users interact with their home entertainment systems.

SmartThings and Philips Hue partnership expands

In its step towards fulfilling its commitment to global smart home availability, Philips Hue is available in more countries. They include Hong Kong, Brazil, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The users residing in these countries can now use the Philips Hue Sync TV app on their SmartThings televisions.

In addition, while users could only access the Philips Hue Sync TV app from their TV, they can now access it from their SmartThings mobile app. Naturally, this feature also includes other SmartThings-compatible devices. As Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings US said:

“We are excited to continue our collaboration with Philips Hue to bring these transformative features to life. This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering seamless and innovative solutions that enrich the lives of our users, making their smart home experiences more immersive and enjoyable.”

The Philips Hue Sync TV app was previously only available with a one-time payment of $129.99, but now users can also subscribe to a monthly plan if they want. It depends on the choice and convenience of the users if they wish to pay once and use it or if they prefer to pay $2.99 per month to be able to use the service. However, this added choice helps those who infrequently use the app subscribe only when needed.

Finally, those using the Philips Hue Sync TV app on compatible 2024 Samsung TV models will find a new “Music Mode” feature. As the name suggests, the Philips Hue lights won’t react to what’s on the screen, but will instead react to the audio of what’s playing.

Release and compatibility

The Hue Sync TV app is already available on Samsung TVs made in 2022 or later and in the Q60 and higher range. The newer products that will be released will already have the option to activate this feature after installing the Hue Sync TV app.

As for the music mode feature, the feature will come to compatible Samsung TVs manufactured in 2022 and 2023 “later this year.” While users don’t have an exact release date, they won’t have to wait too long to get the feature. The future is exciting for SmartThing’s expanded partnership with Philip Hue, and fans eagerly await what comes next.


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Google SEEDS AI makes weather forecasting smarter and cheaper

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Google has developed a Scalable Ensemble Envelope Diffusion Sampler (SEEDS) as a new AI tool that can transform weather predictions by cutting down costs without losing precision. SEEDS is different from conventional supercomputers and it offers efficient medium-range weather forecasts, thereby increasing the ability to predict rare and extreme weather events.

Google SEEDS AI Tool will revolutionize weather forecasting, making it cheaper and more efficient

Google, in a recent blog post, highlights that SEEDS aims to address the increasing expenses related to traditional forecasting methods. As much as super-computers require huge investments, SEEDS can offer analogous outcomes at relatively low costs making forecasting affordable and cost-effective.

One of the significant benefits of SEEDS is its ability to generate numerous forecasts which provide meteorologists with abundant data for analysis and climate projections. The inflow of information helps experts in understanding climate patterns and their predictions hence offering more accurate forecasts.

Google AI recently posted on X touting the capabilities of SEEDS published in Science Advances journal, the article shows how this could be a game changer in weather forecasting. It becomes possible for meteorologists to predict storms or other weather conditions more accurately with SEEDS through AI technology.

SEEDS might garner a positive response with industrywide adoption

However, despite some misgivings about the integration of AI into weather apps, Google’s history with machine learning models used for predictive analyses points to a positive response. The success of GraphCast, another similar machine-learning model created by the DeepMind branch, showed how effectively AI could use historical data in predicting predicted atmospheric conditions over time.

However, the functionality as well as accuracy of AI-based prediction tools like SEEDS may eventually persuade meteorologists to embrace them fully. The possibilities for better accuracy and dependable weather predictions are becoming brighter due to advancing artificial intelligence techniques employed in weather prediction tools. This will be true especially if we consider future endeavors involving SEEDS leading into what is expected to be bright days ahead for meteorology.


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Up your Home Theater with the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector for $979

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Amazon has a great deal going on right now for the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K, which is now just $978.99. That’s going to save you over $700 off of its regular price. This also brings it down to a new all-time low price. To get this price, you’ll need to use the promo code XGIMISD979 at checkout. That will shave $400 off of the regular price.

The XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K is a long-throw projector, so you can mount it on a tripod or from the ceiling and have it bounce off of the wall. It does come with auto keystone correction, so the picture will always be nice and straight even if it is at an angle.

As the name implies, this is a 4K projector, so you’re getting a great image here. And it’s actually very bright at about 2200 ANSI Lumens. Making it great to use even in a brighter room. Android TV is running on this projector here, so you’re getting access to over 5,000 apps from the Google Play Store. That includes Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and many more.

I’ve actually used and reviewed the Horizon Pro 4K, and it is a really good projector. For the money, it’s hard to find something that’s better than this one.

You can pick up the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K from Amazon today by clicking the link below.

Buy at Amazon


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Microsoft has a new image search tool that uses facial recognition

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Delving deeper into facial recognition technology, Microsoft has designed a new image search tool that can identify individuals within a cloud database. Once integrated with platforms like OneDrive, the tool will likely provide a more dynamic searching experience, identifying individuals as you do so.

Microsoft patents a facial recognition tool to search, identify, and catalog people in images

Apart from features such as Windows Hello in Windows 11 for keyless sign-in and Azure AI face for detecting and analyzing human faces on images, Microsoft recently filed a patent that indicates other uses of this technology. The patent also states that it will group the photos by people, not only identifying them but also cataloging them.

This tool will enable grouped images if they feature the same person or group of people. Additionally, WindowsReport explained how the image search tool may rank these images using additional data such as connections with family and friends to improve its precision and efficiency.

The ranking engine may prioritize larger-entity groupings over smaller ones and give higher rankings to groupings with a larger number of faces belonging to friends or family. Furthermore, social media applications could also employ the tool to facilitate user identification.

There are still some ethical repercussions for people if they use this technology

Nevertheless, integration of this sort of facial recognition technology has some ethical repercussions especially when privacy and data usage issues. When discussing Azure services, Microsoft has come up with responsible AI guidelines wherein user consent is paramount along with adherence to ethical standards.

However, there is hope yet for a facial-recognition-based image searching tool in platforms like OneDrive which already have AI-based search capabilities. This kind of technology being incorporated could make users reorganize their digital content thus giving rise to an improved search insight.

As Microsoft refines its facial recognition technologies even further. However, user privacy concerns must remain at the forefront. With proper utilization though this tool may lead to better experiences for consumers while maintaining privacy and ethical guidelines.


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Patch Your Systems Now (CVE-2024-3094)

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Backdoor Discovered in XZ Utils: Patch Your Systems Now (CVE-2024-3094)

Critical Backdoor Alert! Patch XZ Utils Now (CVE-2024-3094) & Secure Your Linux System. Learn how a hidden backdoor puts Linux at risk and how to patch it immediately.

A critical security vulnerability, designated CVE-2024-3094, was recently discovered in the widely used XZ Utils package. This vulnerability threatens Linux systems with backdoor attacks.

For your information, XZ Utils is a collection of open-source command-line tools for data compression and decompression. It includes the popular xz command and the liblzma library, which is used by other software, most notably OpenSSH – the program that enables secure remote access to Linux systems.

The Backdoor Explained

The vulnerability involved a malicious backdoor hidden within the source code of XZ Utils, specifically in the liblzma library. This backdoor code, if triggered, could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized remote access to a vulnerable system through SSH. The attacker wouldn’t even need valid credentials, potentially granting complete control over the system.

Impact and Discovery

The potential impact of this vulnerability is severe. An attacker exploiting CVE-2024-3094 could steal sensitive data, install malware, disrupt critical operations, or even use the compromised system to launch further attacks.

Fortunately, the backdoor was discovered by the security community in late March 2024 before widespread distribution. This prevented a large-scale security breach. However, some Linux users remain vulnerable, especially those using unstable or rolling-release distributions.

Who is Affected?

According to OpenSSH’s report, the specific versions of XZ Utils containing the backdoor were 5.6.0 and 5.6.1. These versions were only recently released and did not make it into the stable branches of most major Linux distributions. However, users who manually compiled these versions from source code or installed them from non-standard repositories could be at risk.

Commenting on this, John Bambenek, President at Bambenek Consulting warned, The original reports of this backdoor showed exploitation of this vulnerability via SSH which means it can be triggered even if the victim machine’s users don’t use XZ and its library. It seems this library tends to be installed by default on modern Linux distributions so organizations should immediately prioritize downgrading the package until a safe update is released, even if they don’t use the tools themselves.

Mitigation and Prevention

The most critical step to address this vulnerability is to update your system immediately. Most Linux distributions have released patch updates for XZ Utils. Here’s how to update depending on your distribution:

  • Debian/Ubuntu: Use sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade commands.
  • Red Hat/CentOS/Fedora: Use sudo dnf update command.
  • Other Distributions: Refer to your distribution’s specific update instructions.

Lessons Learned

The discovery of CVE-2024-3094 emphasizes the importance of various security measures. Firstly, keeping software and systems updated with regular patches is crucial to mitigate potential risks.

Secondly, maintaining a sharp review process for open-source projects aids in the early detection of vulnerabilities. Thirdly, promoting security awareness among users and employees through education about risks and best practices is essential for enhancing overall protection. Adhering to these practices enables us to reduce the impact of vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-3094 and safeguard the security of our systems.

  1. New Linux Malware Alert: ‘Spinning YARN’ Hits Docker
  2. Crypto Stealing PyPI Malware Hits Windows, Linux Users
  3. Magnet Goblin Using Ivanti Flaws to Deploy Linux Malware
  4. Bifrost RAT Variant Hits Linux Devices, Mimics VMware Domain
  5. Xamalicious Backdoor Infects Android Apps, Affects 327K Devices

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Android 15’s color contrast settings will make apps easier to read

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The Android operating system runs on billions of devices worldwide, which means it’s used by not just young, tech savvy users but also by people of all demographics. Google, the company that develops Android, has created multiple accessibility options to ensure their mobile operating system can be enjoyed by just about anyone. In the upcoming Android 15 release, which is set to debut this fall, Google may be adding new “color contrast” settings that will help users make apps easier to read.

Earlier today, Google released a new Android 14 beta dubbed Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1. The hallmark of point releases like this one is the many bug fixes they bring, and QPR3 Beta 2.1 is no different. However, QPR3 Beta 2.1 also surprisingly brings some new features, including the new high-quality mode for the Android webcam feature first seen in Android 15 Developer Preview 2. Under the hood, the QPR3 Beta 2.1 update also adds a hidden “color contrast” settings page that I managed to manually activate.

First look at Android’s color contrast settings

This page lets the user adjust the contrast of text, buttons, and icons to make them stand out more in apps. Users can choose from “default”, “medium”, or “high” contrast levels for colors as well as toggle “maximize text contrast” to “add a black or white background around text to increase contrast.” The page also includes a mockup of an app that serves as a preview of these toggles, though users should be aware that “some apps may not support all color and text contrast settings.”

Here is an image gallery that showcases the various color contrast settings in both light and dark modes.

Notably, Google was previously seen working on a “contrast level” slider in preview builds of Android 14. At the time, I discovered that this slider would work with apps that utilize Google’s Material components library to enable Material You theming. The purpose of the slider is to adjust the tone (lightness) of colors with backgrounds to become closer to their background as the contrast lowers, and to become further when the contrast increases. The slider was moved under Android’s developer options in the first beta build of Android 14, where it remains today.

When will Android’s color contrast settings arrive?

This new “color contrast” settings page is likely the user-facing version of the “contrast level” slider seen in the previous release but with the addition of the “high contrast text” option currently found in Android’s display size and text settings. However, as I previously said, the “color contrast” page is not currently visible in the latest QPR3 Beta 2.1 release. Once it does go live in a future update, it should appear under Settings > Accessibility > Color and motion. This page will likely be added as part of this year’s Android 15 update, which is poised to introduce other UI-related changes, such as a revamped volume panel.


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Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 rolls out and addresses tons of bugs

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Google has just started rolling out the 2.1 beta version for Android 14 QPR3, and it’s mostly about further enhancing the experience by way of bug fixes. In fact, the patch is a pretty large list of bug fixes that Google wasn’t able to address with the last update, Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.

Google specifically states that this release doesn’t get rid of all bugs. However, it does iron out more than a few issues that were plaguing the previous releases. With Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 for example, some users were experiencing launcher crashes when trying to open up their recent apps menu. If you’re using the gesture navigation on Android, then you open up the recent apps by swiping upward from the bottom edge of the display.

In most cases, this works pretty flawlessly and it lets you fly between apps you’re currently using to multitask. Sometimes with great efficiency. That all goes out the window though if your launch simply crashes. Which is what was happening prior to this update. “Fixed an issue that sometimes caused a device’s launcher to crash when trying to view recent apps,” the official release notes say.

Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 is rolling out to all eligible devices

Naturally, you’ll need to be using a Pixel device if you’re looking to upgrade to this latest beta patch. Although, if you’re reading this you probably already know that. As Google notes, the beta 2.1 update is rolling out to all eligible devices. Specifically those on the Android Beta for Pixel Program. That means if you’re running with the Pixel 5a or newer (like the Pixel 8 Pro), including the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet, you can upgrade to this beta patch. You do have to opt in with your device, though. And keep in mind that this is a beta, so things won’t necessarily always work correctly. As evidenced by the patch being entirely about fixing bugs.

In addition to the bug mentioned above, Google has fixed a wide range of issues. This includes a particularly annoying bug that was causing the Pixel Fold to only show content on half of the display when the phone was unfolded. Another particularly troubling bug was happening with the Pixel Tablet. Where sometimes, the tablet wouldn’t charge when it was connected to the dock.

Some additional bug fixes include where swiping up from the bottom of the screen didn’t always return to the home screen. The Quick Tap to start gestures not working was another issue. There were frequent errors from apps that were telling users that the “Application not responding” as well. Again keep in mind there are a few more bug fixes included. And you can read the full list of fixes in Google’s full release notes. Google also states that there’s a list of top issues that are going to be addressed in future patches.


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2024 State of Malware in Education report: Top 6 cyberthreats facing K-12 and Higher Ed

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Educational institutions may face a range of cyberthreats in 2024, but our 2024 State of Malware in Education report identifies the six most critical ones.

Ransomware, for example, stands out as a key threat for schools and universities. The report covers how last year, we witnessed a 92% increase in ransomware attacks in K-12 schools and a 70% increase in Higher Education. The trend appears set to continue, partly due to specialized ransomware groups like Rhysida (formerly Vice Society) targeting educational sectors.  

Education ransomware attacks, 2022 – 2023

Another major threat our 2024 State of Malware in Education covers is the reduction of conventional malware in favor of Living off The Land (LOTL) attacks. LOTL attacks exploit legitimate system tools to remain undetected while conducting harmful activities.

Our report suggests that educational institutions must employ expert staff to manually identify LOTL activities, which traditional malware detection tools miss. For example, we recently wrote how one K-12 district used MDR to uncover malicious PowerShell activity and stop an ongoing infection.

Some other trends and threats educational institutions can expect in the report to cover include:

  • Why targeting Macs has become an easy choice for criminals 
  • How CL0P is rewriting the ransomware playbook and why Big Game ransomware remains the most serious threat.
  • How cybercriminals use ‘malvertising’ to target educational institutions with malicious ads for popular for remote learning such as Zoom. 

As we progress into 2024, the reality is that educational institutions’ success in pairing state of the art security software with skilled security staff will be a deciding factor in their ability to take down the most serious cyberthreats. 

To understand the complete list of threats facing educational institutions in 2024 and how to tackle them, get the full 2024 State of Malware in Education report—tailored to either K-12 or Higher Ed—below.



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