WhatsApp keeps rolling out new features regularly, and now it seems it is working on making it easier for everyone to open and share photos. According to WABetaInfo, a reliable source for WhatsApp updates, the Meta-owned messaging app is widely releasing a feature to quickly open the photo library.
Image Credit–WABetaInfo
While the official changelog doesn’t offer much insight, the latest version of the iOS app, 24.7.75, has unveiled that this feature is now rolling out to all. Essentially, it’s a handy shortcut for swiftly accessing the photo library. Users can simply long-press the attach button within the chat bar, saving time by directly navigating to their photo library without any extra steps.
If you haven’t got this feature yet, keep in mind that it may be gradually rolled out to some accounts over the next few weeks, even though it’s not mentioned in the official changelog. As mentioned, the Meta-owned app frequently introduces new features, so installing all the latest updates will ensure you have access to the latest features and enhance your overall user experience.
On a different note, WhatsApp is gearing up to introduce a picture-in-picture option for videos. This means you will be able to watch videos while browsing through multiple chats or other parts of the app. Additionally, the app is set to receive a series of little tweaks, all aimed at enhancing the user experience.
CVS Group, a leading veterinary service provider, has confirmed that it fell victim to a cyber-attack involving unauthorized access to a segment of its IT systems.
The company’s security protocols swiftly detected the breach, prompting an immediate response to contain the threat.
Upon discovering the breach, CVS Group decisively isolated the compromised systems.
The company temporarily shut down its IT systems to prevent further unauthorized access, adhering to its emergency response plan.
While effective in halting the attack, this necessary action has caused significant operational disruptions over the past week, particularly affecting the UK operations.
Specialist Intervention and Authority Notification
CVS Group has enlisted the expertise of third-party cybersecurity consultants to conduct a thorough investigation into the nature and scope of the incident.
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The company has also proactively informed the relevant authorities, including the Information Commissioner’s Office, due to the potential risk of compromised personal information.
The London Stock Exchange has published a blog post reporting a cyber attack on the IT system of CVS Group, a veterinary giant.
Impact on Services and Recovery Efforts
Despite the challenges posed by the cyber incident, CVS Group has managed to maintain high levels of clinical care across most of its practices.
IT services have been securely restored across most of the company’s locations.
However, the enhanced security measures have led to some systems operating less efficiently than before, which may continue to affect operations for the foreseeable future.
According to a tweet by Reuters, CVS Group, a significant player in the veterinary industry, has been hit by a cyber attack targeting its IT system.
Due to the cyber attack, CVS Group is transitioning to cloud-based practice management systems and IT infrastructure.
This strategic move aims to strengthen security across the company’s operations and improve operational efficiency.
Nonetheless, the transition will impact operations for several weeks as the company focuses on maintaining clinical care while enhancing security.
Ongoing Forensic Analysis and Commitment to Security
The forensic analysis of the cyber incident is still underway, and CVS Group is committed to taking all necessary measures to safeguard its business and client data.
The company assures that it will provide further updates as the situation evolves and more information becomes available.
CVS Group’s experience reminds us of the ever-present threat of cyber attacks on businesses of all sizes and sectors.
The company’s prompt and effective response highlights the importance of a robust cybersecurity strategy and response plan.
As CVS Group continues to recover and strengthen its IT systems, the veterinary community is watching closely, recognizing the critical need for cybersecurity vigilance to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity.
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Do you find it difficult to discover songs that match your current mood? Well, Spotify AI playlist feature can help you find the perfect songs for you based on your mood. All you need to do is input a prompt based on your mood or preferred song, and then the AI will generate a playlist of songs that match your prompt.
Turn your ideas into a playlist
Generative AI is the hottest trend in the market these days. You’ll find companies using this technology in their apps, smartphones, and other tech products. Now, this technology is coming to one of the best audio streaming platforms, Spotify, and will allow you to generate playlists with a prompt.
According to Android Authority, with the new AI Playlist feature, you simply need to enter a prompt, and the technology will tailor a playlist according to it. For instance, you can enter prompts like “music to keep me motivated during an intense gym session” or “romantic music for a candlelight dinner with my wife.”
Once you’ve entered the prompt, Spotify will use LLM technology to understand your intent and then go through your listening history and preferences to create a playlist that matches your prompt.
If the playlist is not to your liking, you can refine it by entering further commands that contain changes you’d like to see in the playlist. For example, if you’d like more bass-heavy songs in the playlist, you can enter a prompt like “more bass.”
While you can be as creative as you want with your prompts, the guardrails around the Spotify AI playlist feature will prevent it from responding to your prompt if you enter offensive words or anything related to a current event or a particular brand. You can create playlists using prompts that refer to a place, animal, activity, movie character, color, or even a particular emoji.
Spotify confirmed working on the AI playlist feature last year
In December 2023, TechCrunch reported that Spotify has confirmed that they are working on the AI playlist feature. The confirmation came after a TikTok user, @robdad_, posted a clip showing an option under Your Library to create a playlist with a disclaimer at the bottom stating, “Powered by AI.”
Now, this feature has reached the beta testing phase and is currently available for Android and iOS Spotify Premium users in Australia and the UK.
Last fall, we covered the news that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design Chief Jony Ive were working on an AI-powered device. Back then, we didn’t know what sort of device these two were looking to create. Well, we still don’t know. However, Sam Altman and Jony Ive are looking for funding for their AI device.
Right now, we’re starting to see more AI devices come to the market. These are devices that are portable and internet-connected just like smartphones, but they lack a traditional smartphone interface. For example, the AI Pin from Humane has been making the rounds lately.
Also, we got our first look at the Rabbit R1 in action. These are devices that aim to put the smartphone out of commission at some point. However, that point may be years away.
Sam Altman and Jony Ive are looking for funding for their AI device
At this point, we don’t know what this device will look like. Ive is, ostensibly, leading the design department, but we don’t expect it to look like an iPhone. In fact, we don’t expect it to look like a phone at all. Also, we don’t know what sort of AI capabilities this device will have.
What we know is that the two geniuses are now looking for funding for this device. According to sources, Altman and Ive are seeking funding from investors to bring this device to fruition. The two are seeking at least $1 billion in funding.
That’s a pretty tall order, but both individuals have proven themselves in the tech and AI fields. Also, AI technology is all the rage. So, it seems likely that they will be able to secure funding. Right now, we don’t know what firms they are contacting or if they’ve been able to secure any funding just yet, but we know that the duo contacted SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son.
More information about this device will come out as time goes on. We don’t know anything about the device or the business that’s going to build it. However, OpenAI may own part of the business.
Google Search is the go-to search engine for almost everything, with around 92% of all searches globally happening there. Whether you’re hunting for news, articles, images, places, or videos, you probably just Google it, right? And now, it seems like the tech giant is trying out another filter to add to the mix alongside Video, Images, News, Shopping, Books, and others.According to tipster and Android researcher AssembleDebug on X, Google is giving a shot at testing a new “Short videos” filter on mobile. It seems that this new filter might showcase short videos from platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and more in the search results.
However, the filter is probably still in the early testing phase, so there’s no guarantee it’ll stick around as a permanent search filter. We’ll just have to wait and see if Google decides to roll with this experiment.The test was also recently spotted by SEO consultant Brodie Clark (via Android Police), who shared additional images of the new Short Videos search filter.
Once chosen, the Short Videos filter displays portrait-orientation content in a convenient two-column layout, such as Shorts from YouTube and videos from TikTok. The filter eliminates the need to add keywords like Reels, Shorts, or TikTok to your search query.
The short video format really took off thanks to apps like Snapchat and TikTok. Instagram Reels and YouTube’s Shorts jumped on the bandwagon soon after. And here’s a fun fact: stats reveal that a whopping 73% of consumers actually prefer short-form videos when looking for products or services. So, it’s not too shocking that Google decided to give this new filter a whirl.
These days, some creators specialize in crafting short-format content exclusively thanks to the format’s popularity, especially when it comes to informative content like tutorials and news snippets. Even LinkedIn is getting in on the action, experimenting with a new short video feed geared toward careers and professionalism.
Cisco has alerted its customers about a critical vulnerability affecting several Small Business RV Series Routers models.
This vulnerability, CVE-2024-20362, poses a significant risk, allowing unauthenticated, remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
The affected models include the RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 routers, widely used in small business environments for secure internet connectivity and VPN access.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the web-based management interface of the affected routers.
Attackers can exploit this flaw by convincing users to click on a specially crafted link. This can lead to executing arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or the potential leakage of sensitive, browser-based information.
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The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system has assigned this vulnerability the identifier CVE-2024-20362, with a base score of 6.1 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
This score reflects a moderate severity level, emphasizing the need for affected users to take immediate action to mitigate the risk.
Affected Products and Mitigation Strategies
The advisory specifies that all software releases for the RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 routers are vulnerable.
In contrast, this vulnerability does not affect other models in the Cisco RV Series, such as the RV160, RV260, and RV340 series routers.
Given the absence of software updates to address CVE-2024-20362, Cisco has outlined specific mitigation strategies for affected customers.
Disabling remote management is recommended for the RV320 and RV325 models.
For the RV016, RV042, RV042G, and RV082 models, Cisco advises disabling remote management and blocking access to ports 443 and 60443, which can be achieved through the router’s web-based management interface.
Fixed Software
Cisco has announced that it will not release software updates to address this vulnerability, as the affected routers have entered the end-of-life process.
Customers are encouraged to consult these products’ end-of-sale and end-of-life announcements and consider migrating to newer models that continue receiving security updates and support.
This situation underscores the importance of regular security assessments and the prompt application of mitigations or upgrades to protect against evolving cybersecurity threats.
Customers are advised to regularly review Cisco’s security advisories and consult with the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers to ensure their network infrastructure remains secure and resilient.
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Samsung plans to construct one more semiconductor manufacturing factory in the US, its third in the country. The new facility is planned in Taylor, Texas, where the company is currently building its second facility, The Wall Street Journal has learned. The Korean firm already operates a chip plant in Austin, Texas.
Samsung may double its chip investment in the US
In 2021, Samsung announced a $17 billion investment to construct a chip factory in Taylor. The factory is expected to be operational later this year. The latest estimates suggest the final cost of the facility will be more than $20 billion, potentially reaching $25 billion. The US government will reportedly support the Korean tech giant with federal funding of about $6 billion under the CHIPS and Science Act.
It appears that Samsung plans to use the grants and subsidies to increase its chip manufacturing capacity in the US. According to the WSJ, the planned second round of investment would bring the total to $44 billion, double what it would invest in the under-construction chip plant in Taylor. As we have seen with the current facility, depending on the market conditions, the total amount could increase as the construction proceeds.
Along with a semiconductor manufacturing facility, Samsung plans to construct a facility for advanced packaging and R&D (research and development). The new report says the initial estimated cost of the manufacturing site is $20 billion, while the packaging facility may cost $4 billion. The company will reportedly hold an event in Taylor next Monday, April 15, to announce its broadened investment plans.
It is a huge win for the US government
If Samsung’s plan materializes, it would massively boost the US semiconductor market. The Biden administration has been encouraging foreign chip companies to invest more in the country to expand their production capacity. That is the very purpose of the CHIPS and Science Act, to lure companies with grand, loans, and funding. The Act offers federal funding of $52.7 billion to chip firms, including $39 billion in direct grants.
TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor foundry, is also building a new factory stateside. It will reportedly get funding of over $5 billion. American chip giant Intel may receive the biggest chunk of this pool, with rumors of over $10 billion in grants and loans and an additional $3.5 billion in grants for the production of military chips. It is unclear if Samsung will get another round of federal funding for its second chip factory in Taylor.
TikTok’s popularity among European politicians rises despite security fears, reads a recent report by Reuters.
And can you blame them? After all, politicians care about votes: and if you want votes, you need young people. If you need young people – you know where this is going, don’t you – you need TikTok, end of story.
The report outlines Simon Harris’ TikTok usage. When he became Ireland’s prime minister-in-waiting in March, he turned to a favored platform of his: TikTok. Ireland’ youngest taoiseach (a local word for “Irish prime minister”) made a “Thank you” video for his 95,000 followers.
Harris is just one of the many European politicians who are embracing TikTok. That’s a trend – European politicians are turning to TikTok, believing that the importance of connecting with younger voters surpasses the alleged security worries.
Germany’s security agencies, for example, have warned against using the app over concerns it could share data with China’s government or be used to influence users.
Similar fears have haunted US lawmakers for years – that’s why less than a month ago, the US House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill that could ban TikTok in the United States.
The goal is ByteDance to sell its interests in the viral short video app, or face a ban in the US. If everything goes to plan (the bill passes and Joe Biden signs it), ByteDance will have a 165-day deadline to divest from TikTok. Should it not pass the control of TikTok to an American-based company, US app stores (like Apple’s, Google’s and Samsung’s) would be prohibited from offering TikTok in the country.
Overseas, the EU’s turn to TikTok isn’t without a cause – European elections draw near and younger votes are needed. Apart from early adopter Harris, who operates a TikTok account since 2021, another notable example is French President Emmanuel Macron, who boasts 4 million followers since joining TikTok in 2020.In Germany, the embrace of TikTok by senior politicians is a newer trend, with Health Minister Karl Lauterbach becoming the country’s first minister to open an account in March. “Revolution at TikTok: it starts today,” he said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz in February also suggested his government open a TikTok account.
The TikTok generation is extremely important for Germany, as 16-year-olds over there can vote in the June European elections.
Also, TikTok is seen as a major news source for younger people.
The Vedalia Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group, also known by its alias Konni, has been distributing malware using an innovative technique involving oversized LNK files.
This method marks an evolution in the group’s operational tactics, aiming to bypass conventional security measures and compromise targeted systems.
Broadcom recently published a blog post stating that the Vedalia APT group has utilized huge LNK files in their latest malware campaign.
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Key Highlights of the Campaign
Innovative Delivery Mechanism: The Vedalia APT group has ingeniously utilized LNK files with double extensions, effectively masking the malicious .lnk extension.
This tactic deceives users into believing the files are harmless, increasing the likelihood of execution.
Obscuration through Whitespace: A notable characteristic of these LNK files is the excessive use of whitespace.
This technique is designed to hide the malicious command lines embedded within, making detection by security software and analysts more challenging.
Bypassing Security Defenses: The embedded command line script within the LNK files is crafted to search for and execute PowerShell commands.
This approach is specifically chosen to evade detection mechanisms. It leverages PowerShell’s legitimate system functions to locate and deploy the embedded malicious files and payload.
File-based
CL.Downloader!gen20
Scr.Mallnk!gen13
Trojan.Gen.NPE
WS.Malware.1
Implications and Recommendations
The Vedalia APT group’s adoption of oversized LNK files for malware delivery underscores the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Organizations and individuals are advised to remain vigilant, update their security solutions, and educate users about the risks of opening files from unknown sources.
This campaign by the Vedalia APT group serves as a reminder of the continuous innovation among cyber adversaries.
By staying informed and proactive, organizations can better defend against these sophisticated threats, safeguarding their digital assets and the integrity of their systems.
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A new update is coming to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and it is expected to fix many camera problems, it seems. This information comes from Ice Universe, one of the best-known tipsters around.
Next Galaxy S24 Ultra update is expected to fix quite a few camera problems
As per usual, he is heavily invested in the works of Samsung, and its devices. He went to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share the news with his followers. He promised this update will fix many camera problems, or at least it’s expected to.
The tipster did delve deeper into it, a bit deeper. He said that the update will bring improved telephoto image quality. On top of that, it will fix inaccurate white balance and “abnormal red color”.
What he doesn’t know is when exactly the update will land. He was not provided with that information. The tipster is hoping that the update will land in April, though. It remains to be seen.
Samsung has plenty of competition this time around
The OPPO Find X7 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and Vivo X100 Pro come to mind first, that’s for sure. Those are the phones that will get mentioned in camera debates these days. If you throw the Pixel 8 Pro into the mix, and also the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the OnePlus 12, things become even more interesting.
It is worth noting that Huawei is expected to announce its new flagships in the near future too. The Huawei P70 series is coming, and based on what we’ve heard about the upcoming camera setups, Huawei will also compete, very much so.
All of that makes it hard for Samsung to truly stand out, The company needs to do everything in their power to properly optimize the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera output. It seems like that’s exactly what Samsung is trying to do.
