Brave browser’s Leo AI assistant is now available on Android

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Brave browser’s Leo AI assistant is now available on Android
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Brave, the privacy-focused web browser, has launched its AI assistant, Leo, on Android devices. Leo is designed to be a helpful and private companion that can assist you with a variety of tasks, from answering your questions to translating languages and even writing code.

Leo is built on top of Brave’s own search engine, which means that your searches are not tracked or stored. This is a major differentiator from other AI assistants, which often collect and sell user data. Leo is also multilingual, so you can interact with it in your native language.

Image Credit: Brave

What can Leo do on mobile?

Leo for Android can perform a variety of tasks, such as:
  • Real-time summaries: Leo can break down webpages or videos into a concise summary, saving you precious time.
  • Research: Leo can research and answer questions for you about content. Imagine having Leo research product comparisons, travel tips, or dinner recipes for you.
  • Writing: Leo can help you draft emails, messages, or even blog posts by providing suggestions and corrections. Leo’s writing assistance can save you time and improve the quality of your written communication.
  • Translation: Leo can translate text or conversations in real-time, making it a valuable tool for communication with people who speak different languages. Additionally, Leo can help you with language learning by providing translations and pronunciation assistance.
  • Write code: Leo can also help you write code on your mobile device, making it easier to work on programming projects while on the go. Leo for Android offers a seamless coding experience with helpful suggestions and syntax highlighting.

Brave Leo offers unmatched privacy along with its features. You can be as anonymous as you want without the need for logins or signups, which allows you to feel safe in the knowledge that your data isn’t out there for the world to see. Additionally, Leo leverages multiple cutting-edge language models to deliver answers to you, but has settled on Mixtral 8×7B as the default LLM on desktop. On mobile, users will have the option to switch LLMs if they choose.

Pricing structure

While the basic version of Brave Leo is free to use, power users can choose to unlock the ability to have higher rate limits by subscribing to Leo Premium for $14.99 a month. A single subscription also works across 5 devices (Android, Linux, macOS, Windows), offering even more capability.

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Android Money Transfer XHelper App Exposed as Money Laundering Network

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Android Money Transfer XHelper App Exposed as Money Laundering Network
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The XHelper App, an APK found on third-party app stores, has been exposed over its large-scale money laundering operation involving Chinese scammers.

CloudSEK researchers have discovered XHelper, an Android app (not to be confused with the nasty XHelper malware) linked to a money laundering network, disguised as legitimate websites for scams like fake payment gateways and illegal gambling.

In October 2023, the CloudSEK Threat Intelligence (TI) team discovered a critical loophole in India’s banking infrastructure being exploited by Chinese threat actors in a “large-scale money laundering scheme targeting Indian citizens.” The scheme involved hundreds of thousands of compromised “money mule” accounts, transferring funds back to China.

For your information, money mules are individuals involved in fraudulent activities, transferring funds and executing financial crimes like cyber fraud or money laundering. 

Now, according to CloudSEK’s blog post, the XHelper app is distributed through websites designed as legitimate Money Transfer Businesses, while funds are converted into cryptocurrencies, and scammers are paid in USDT after deducting commissions. 

The operation involves money mules activating order intake within the XHelper app, receiving/fulfilling money laundering tasks, and executing illicit fund transfers using their linked bank app. Successful order completion results in financial rewards within the app, incentivizing continued participation. 

Money mules are recruited by agents; they operate within a network through multiple Telegram channels. They prefer corporate bank accounts with higher transaction limits as it allows them to move large sums of money more efficiently. 

The Xhelper app features a referral system, allowing agents to invite others and earn bonuses for successful recruitment. This pyramid-like structure amplifies the reach of illicit activities. It is a sophisticated app designed to facilitate money laundering across the globe, swiftly managing money mule schemes via deceptive payment systems. The app’s efficient operational framework allows criminals to scale their operations without specialized knowledge.

Furthermore, the app integrates several unique features, including a mule ranking system, which allows cybercriminals to conduct their operations easily. XHelper optimizes recruitment and oversight of money mules, masking illegal fund origins and facilitating quicker transitions from bank accounts to cryptocurrency, hiding the paper trail of laundered money.

Android Money Transfer XHelper App Exposed as Money Laundering Network
Xhelper app dashboard, another app like Xhelper and modus operandi of the Xhelper app (Credit: CloudSEC_

The XHelper app basically “serves as the technological backbone for fake payment gateways used in various scams, such as Pig Butchering, Task scams, Loan scams, E-Commerce scams, Illegal gambling apps, etc.,” CloudSEK researchers noted in the report. 

Money mule activities can lead to financial losses and operational strain in banks, requiring additional security measures. Legal and compliance issues may result in fines and penalties. Enhanced transaction monitoring costs increase operational costs, and resource allocation is required for investigations, security measures, and compliance efforts. 

Prevention of such schemes is the only solution. for which financial institutions/banks must enhance security, implement stricter verification protocols for merchant account opening, bolster net-banking security measures with multi-factor authentication, monitor suspicious activity, and educate users on secure practices.

  1. New Dark Web Market Styx: Focuses on Money Laundering
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  3. Europol nabs 106 criminals for SIM swapping, money laundering
  4. Chinese Scammers Exploit Cloned Websites in Gambling Network
  5. Chinese Hackers Use Coathanger RAT on Dutch Defense Network

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Third-party chats are coming to WhatsApp

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Third-party chats are coming to WhatsApp
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You use WhatsApp to communicate with other people on WhatsApp. That’s fine and all, but it’s a shame that you can’t use WhatsApp to communicate with people outside of the platform. However, this is something that the company has been working on to comply with the EU’s regulations. According to a new report, WhatsApp will eventually support third-party chats.

The European Union has been working hard to ensure that large tech companies don’t gatekeep certain technologies that could benefit the masses. Thus, it has been targeting certain companies that own communications platforms, urging them to make them interoperable with others. WhatsApp was on that list, and the company is making appropriate changes to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

WhatsApp is working on bringing third-party chats

Since the dawn of alternative online-based communications platforms, people have been wanting to streamline them. Nowadays, people have to message others across multiple apps. A person could message a person on Facebook Messenger, and then jump to Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. This is not to mention standard SMS/RCS messaging.

That gets very cumbersome because all these platforms have their own separate apps, security protocols, and features. So, it’s about time that someone makes a change. That change has come in the form of the European Union forcing companies to make their apps talk to each other.

The folks at WABetaInfo discovered a new addition in the latest WhatsApp beta version (version 2.23.19.8). It shows that WhatsApp is currently working on third-party chats. In the screenshot, we see a splash page that will give you the option to opt-in to using third-party chats. With third-party chats enabled, you will be able to use WhatsApp to interact with people on different platforms. So, if you use WhatsApp as your main communication platform, you won’t want to go to different apps to communicate with your friends who use other programs. You will be able to simply message them using one platform.

WhatsApp third party chats

There are some things to keep in mind, however. Firstly, your third-party checks will be separate from your regular checks. They will live in a separate inbox.

Next, WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption. Other platforms are also required to have it too. However, the end-to-end encryption obfuscating the messages could be different from what WhatsApp uses for its first-party messages. So, there’s always the chance that it won’t be as effective as what WhatsApp uses.

Lastly, third-party chats will display different information than what you see with first-party chats. You will not see profile pictures or account names with third-party chats. This means that it will be easier for scammers to contact you.

At this point, we don’t know when third-party chats will make it to WhatsApp. We are just going to have to wait for the company to finish developing it.


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Google announced three helpful Chrome features for desktop and mobile

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Google announced three helpful Chrome features for desktop and mobile
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Google is always looking for more ways to make Chrome a better browser, which is why the company is always adding new features and additions to it. Today, Google announced three new hopeful Google Search features coming to Chrome that will help augment the overall experience.

Recently, Google announced some new AI features for Chrome it feels that will enhance the experience. One of the latest additions is Help me write throughout all of Chrome. So, no matter what website you’re on, if you are on a text field, you can use Help me write to generate text in any sort of text field. So, no matter what you need to type, the feature will always be there.

Google announced three new useful Search features for Chrome

These features are currently rolling out today, and many people should be able to use them. However, if you can’t use them just yet, then you may want to wait a bit. They may not be available in your region currently. However, it shouldn’t be much of a wait if not.

See what other people are searching for

The first feature will help you widen your search based on similar searches that other people have done. When you open a new Chrome tab, and click on the search bar, you will see your most recent search. On the right side of the list, you’ll see examples of similar searches that other people have done.

Google gave us an example. Say, you recently searched for Japchae (a traditional Korean dish). Well, when you open a new tab and click on the search bar, you’ll see searches for other popular Korean dishes that other people have searched for. We see that other people were searching for Tteok-bokki, Bulgogi, and Bibimbap.

Chrome will show you more images for suggested searches

This feature is exclusive to the mobile version of Chrome. Usually, when you go into Chrome and start typing something, you’ll see an image result for the particular product you’re typing in. However, after the update, Chrome will start showing images of an even broader range of products.

For example, if you want a table that’s Bohemian-inspired, all you have to do is start typing in “Bohemian table.” Under that, you will see suggested searches like Bohemian tablecloth, Bohemian table runner, Bohemian table lamp, but with me and table, and Bohemian table Decor. Each of these results will come with images as well, so you can see what they are.

Better search suggestions even if you have a poor connection

The last new feature is helpful for people who are constantly going outside of their cell range. After this new update, it will be even easier even if you have a very bad connection. Google didn’t quite explain what changed, but it’s a helpful addition nonetheless.

These three new Chrome features are sure to make using it that much better.


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How to mitigate risks in mobile cryptocurrency management

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How to mitigate risks in mobile cryptocurrency management
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Crypto wallets contribute to the massive adoption and security of digital assets. As the digital economy develops further, securing cryptocurrencies from hackers becomes more critical and urgent. Let’s explore different aspects of virtual currency wallet security, using recent research and developments as guides.

Desktop Wallet Control

Desktop wallets give rise to Bitcoin’s popular cryptocurrencies. The users own their cryptocurrencies, enjoy BTC buy features, and can transact with their private keys and seed phrases. This degree of authority is essential in the digital currency space, where security and freedom are central tenets. This eliminates the risk of third-party custodians accessing users’ wallets without permission or losing funds by providing them control over their desktop wallets.

State-of-the-Art Security

In the search for protection of assets, devices, and services from unauthorized access and hacking, the secure environment of digital assets is under constant development. The latest security mechanisms utilize strong encryption, multi-factor authentication, and tighter access controls to prevent potential issues. That being said, all of this infrastructure has brought about some challenges with online investors, as they have to be more watchful and practice the best trading strategies to be safe.

Trust Factor in Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s decentralized design makes it such that people have full rights to their funds without the need for a central authority. This trust in the system’s honesty and reliability is one of the reasons for its acceptance worldwide and for its long-term presence in the digital currency field.

Cryptocurrency Theft Concerns

The promulgation of times during early Bitcoin development when cryptocurrency thefts were prevalent, and exchange closures were happening shows the significance of security features in wallets. With the elevation of cryptocurrencies compared to fiat currencies, the exchanges and individual wallets have become prey to malicious actors who are trying to identify security vulnerabilities and steal funds. Users need to emphasize security by using the best practices and proper wallets to counter the risks effectively.

Evolution of Blockchain

Since its inception, blockchain technology has undergone many dramatic changes, which have been the fuel of the software crypto wallets. Innovations such as smart contracts, Decentralised Finance (DeFi) platforms, and scalability solutions have increased the applications of blockchain technologies, causing the spread of different types of wallets that adapt to the needs of many users. The growth of blockchain technology maintains a high pace of innovation among cryptocurrency platforms, increasing security levels, scalability, and accessibility.

Insecurity of Smartphone Wallets

Studies demonstrate the security problems of Bitcoin’s widely used mobile wallet applications; thus, users are advised to be vigilant about these weaknesses. On the one hand, smartphone wallets foster convenience and accessibility. Nevertheless, they can be easily exposed to various attack vectors, such as malware, phishing, and device compromise. To contain these risks, users should apply caution, adopt strong and advanced security measures, and regularly update their software to patch known vulnerabilities.

Endnote

Cryptocurrency wallet security remains delicate and changing, prodded by technological leaps and threats from malicious actors. The deeper the web users go into the complexities of digital asset management, the more critical it becomes to know the intricacies of wallet security to protect their investments and guarantee peace of mind. Through the benefit of research, the risk can be reduced, and individuals can securely and robustly gain from the cryptocurrency by staying updated about new threats and best practices.


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Release date, specs, price & more

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Release date, specs, price & more
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is one of the most anticipated smartphones of the year, that much is for sure. The competition has started releasing some truly compelling foldables, and Samsung is kind of a in a catcup mode, at least as far as the hardware is concerned. There are now thinner and lighter foldables out there, with less noticeable creases, and some of them arguably have even more compelling software. Samsung has to make a considerable step forward in order to attract consumers once again. The company has been making rather small iterations of its ‘Galaxy Fold’ devices for years now, so… it’s time. In this article we’ll go over what you can expect the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to bring to the table.

This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. This is the original posting of the article.

When will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 be released?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is expected to arrive in July. Based on the latest report, it is coming in early July, actually, which is a bit surprising. July 10 has been mentioned as the launch date, as that’s a Wednesday, and Samsung has a tendency to do Unpacked events on Wednesdays. Last year’s event took place on July 26, when the Galaxy Z Fold 5 launched, so why the change? Well, it’s allegedly due to the Olympics, which are starting on July 26. Samsung moved up its second Unpacked event of the year last year, as it usually launches ‘Fold’ and ‘Flip’ devices in August. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the Galaxy Ring too. The company likely won’t confirm the exact launch date until July.

What models are coming?

We may see a rather considerable change this year. Samsung is actually rumored to announce two Galaxy Z Fold 6 models, not one. A well-known tipster, Roland Quandt, suggested that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra will be coming. He’s not sure about the name, though, the ‘Ultra’ naming is just a guess. He’s also unclear on how the ‘Ultra’ model will differentiate compared to the regular unit. Their internal codenames are the ‘Q6’ and ‘Q6A’, with the latter being the more powerful model.

The tipster did indicate some possible differences between the regular and ‘Ultra’ models. He pointed at different display sizes, different camera setup, possibly a larger battery inside the ‘Ultra, and even an optional stylus support. Those are just some wild guesses on his part, though, he’s still unsure. If there really are two models that are coming, we’ll hear more about that in the coming weeks/months.

How much will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 cost?

We didn’t hear much about the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s launch price. If there are indeed two models that are coming, then we know even less than we thought. We can always asume until some concrete info appears, though. Let’s assume that the regular Galaxy Z Fold 6 model will be on th same level as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, a direct successor to that phone. In that case, the price tag could be similar to Samsung’s current flagship foldable smartphone. In the US, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 launched for $1,799.99. Do note that a ton of trade-in deals were available, though, of course. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 could have a similar price tag.

What about the ‘Ultra’ model, however? Well, considering how very little we know about that device, we can’t really say much. The ‘Ultra’ is only rumored as ‘coming’ at this point, and no specific info was shared. If it does indeed launch, it’s possible that it will be a couple of extra hundred dollars on top of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It all depends on what it ends up offering, we can guess all we want. There’s even a chance that the ‘Ultra’ will be a successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 some sort of a more affordable variant. We’re waiting for more information.

What will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 look like?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 did appear in CAD-based renders (no word on the ‘Ultra’), which basically revealed the phone’s design. It will have a similar design language to its predecessor, but with one notable change. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be a bit wider and shorter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5. That points to a wider cover display, which is something many people have been waiting for. All Galaxy Z Fold models thus far had extremely narrow cover displays. It was rather cumbersome to type on them, as they were considerably narrower than displays on regular smartphones. That will change with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 CAD-based renders:

The phone’s rear camera setup looks very similar to the one on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, design-wise. It is bigger this time around, however. The sides are once again flat all around, while the bezels around both displays will be rather thin. Samsung will once again use an under-display camera on the main panel. A display camera hole will be placed on the cover panel. The phone will fold flat, as did the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and we’re hoping that it will also be lighter than its predecessor.

A recent rumor did say that it will weigh under 250 grams (the Galaxy Z Fold 5 weighs 253 grams). The device is said to measure 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1mm when unfolded. We still don’t have its measurements when folded, though. A titanium build was also mentioned, and that could help with the overall weight. One rumor also suggested it will be 11mm thick, but some sources indicated that it won’t be happening. So we’ll see.

What specs will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 have?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy SoC. That is basically an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It’s the most powerful processor Qualcomm has to offer at the moment. The device is expected to include a 7.6-inch main display, and we’re probably looking at a QHD+ resolution on that panel, or at least something close to it. What about the main display? Well, it will be wider, but we don’t know its size just yet. Samsung could aim to keep the same size, though, as it looks set to keep the same size of the main panel. That means we could get a 6.2-inch panel, but a wider one. Alternatively, the size could be boosted to 6.3 inches. This will be a fullHD+ panel, and both displays will offer a 120Hz refresh rate.

A larger battery, but the charging likely won’t be (much) faster

A 4,600mAh battery was mentioned in rumors as well, so it will have a larger battery than the current-gen model. A recent rumor suggested that the phone will include a 200-megapixel main camera, but another one quickly squashed that info, claming that a 50-megapixel unit will be included. Do note that two Galaxy Z Fold 6 models are rumored, so that may be the cause to the confusion. We’re hoping to see upgrades for all cameras on the device, especially rear-facing ones, but that may not materialize.

That’s all the information on specs that we have at the moment. It’s possible Samsung will cling to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It’s also quite possible that we may not get faster charging here. Even if Samsung ends up including 45W wired charging, as on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the phone won’t be charging that much faster due to the way charging is handled. We do expect 15W wireless charging to be included, however, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Let’s hope the phone will support the Qi2 standard.

Should you wait to buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6?

Based on everything we’ve seen thus far, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 won’t be a major upgrade. It’s still rather early, though, so take that with a grain of salt. The biggest upgrade seems to be a wider cover display. If you do consider that an upgrade, some people prefer the narrower display. The thing is, the ‘Ultra’ model is now rumored, so if we take that one into consideration, we may, after all, see some major upgrades coming. We’ll have to wait for more information to surface, as what we know now is quite limited. The phone’s launch event is still months and months away, so… we’ll see.


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The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could be finalized by this April

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The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could be finalized by this April
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Rumors surrounding the next most powerful chip from Qualcomm have been surfacing, and they’re painting a picture of a pretty powerful processor. While we are still waiting on official information, we’ve gotten some rumors letting us know that this processor is well into production. According to a report, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could be finalized by April.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still relatively new, having only launched on a handful of devices so far this year. Some of the devices include the Galaxy S24 series. These are the newest and most powerful Galaxy phones on the market, and they offer some amazing AI functionality. At Android Headlines, we have a review of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and a review of the Galaxy S24+.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon could be finalized this April

As always, we are dealing with leaked information. As such, you’ll want to take this news cautiously. We’re still waiting on official information, so anything could change between now and the official unveiling.

According to reports, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could possibly be finalized by this April. This will give Qualcomm enough time to start sending samples out to OEMs to test for their upcoming devices.

However, this doesn’t mean that Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 devices will be coming out starting in April. It means that it’s finished enough to the point where companies can begin the process of testing them in their upcoming devices. If the rumors remain true, Qualcomm won’t announce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 until October this year. After that, devices won’t start using this chip until next year. So, we most likely won’t be seeing Snapdragon 8 Gen 4-powered devices until early 2025.

Rumored specs

We’re still in the dark on most of this chip’s specs. Recent reports stated that Qualcomm is planning on doing something rather risky. It’s reminiscent of something that MediaTek got flack for. Rumors state that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will only use high-powered cores. This means that it could forgo using lower-powered efficiency cores.

Historically, SoC makers would use a combination of more powerful high-power cores and less powerful efficiency cores. The efficiency cores draw less power than the high-power cores. This is a method that leads to better battery life on phones. So, if the company gets rid of these efficiency cores, then battery life could be a problem for Snapdragon 8 Gen 4-powered devices.

Also, rumors also state that the cores could be clocked at 4GHz or higher. That’s significantly powerful, and it could give Apple’s chips a run for their money. Obviously, we know that AI will be a big focus of this chip.

Only time will tell. The first batch of Snapdragon phones will be going up against the iPhone 16 phones. So, it’ll be exciting to see if Android phones will be able to surpass iPhones in terms of performance.


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Which is Right for You?

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Which is Right for You?
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While both serve similar purposes, there are specific differences between residential proxies and VPNs that users should understand to make informed decisions about their online privacy.

Today, cyber threats and stalking are major issues making privacy and security two major concerns for internet users. With the increasing prevalence of online threats and surveillance, many individuals and businesses are turning to tools like residential proxies and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to protect their online activities.

While both serve similar purposes, there are specific differences between residential proxies and VPNs that users should understand to make informed decisions about their online privacy.

Understanding Residential Proxies:

Residential proxies are IP addresses provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to homeowners. These proxies act as intermediaries between a user’s device and the internet, masking the user’s real IP address with one associated with a residential location. Residential proxies come in two main forms: those provided directly by ISPs and those offered by third-party providers.

Residential Proxies Provided by ISPs:

When ISPs assign IP addresses to residential customers, they essentially allocate a pool of addresses that users can utilize. These addresses are genuine and tied to physical locations, making them highly valuable for tasks such as web scraping, market research, and ad verification.

Residential Proxies Provided by Third-Party Providers:

In addition to the proxies offered by ISPs, there are also third-party providers who issue residential IP addresses from ISPs and offer them to users for various purposes. These third-party residential proxies often come with additional features and customization options to suit different use cases.

Understanding VPNs:

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that encrypts a user’s internet connection and routes it through a server operated by the VPN provider. This creates a secure and private tunnel between the user’s device and the internet, masking their IP address and encrypting their data in transit.

The Main Differences:

While both residential proxies and VPNs provide users with increased privacy and security online, there are several key differences between the two:

  • IP Address Ownership: Residential proxies use IP addresses assigned by ISPs to homeowners, whereas VPNs use IP addresses owned by the VPN provider and shared among multiple users.
  • Anonymity and Geolocation: Residential proxies provide a higher level of anonymity and are associated with specific geographical locations, making them ideal for tasks requiring location-specific data. VPNs, on the other hand, offer anonymity by masking the user’s IP address with one from the VPN server, but they may not always offer specific location options.
  • Usage and Purpose: Residential proxies are often used for web scraping, market research, ad verification, and similar tasks that require genuine residential IP addresses. VPNs are more commonly used for general internet browsing, accessing geo-restricted content, and enhancing security on public Wi-Fi networks.

Protecting Online Privacy:

Both residential proxies and VPNs offer valuable tools for protecting online privacy and security. Residential proxies are ideal for tasks requiring genuine residential IP addresses and specific geographical locations, while VPNs provide a more general solution for encrypting internet connections and masking IP addresses.

In conclusion, the choice between residential proxies and VPNs depends on the specific needs and use cases of the user. Whether it’s collecting data for market research, accessing geo-restricted content, or simply browsing the web securely, understanding the differences between these two tools can help users make informed decisions about protecting their online privacy.

  1. Tools for Testing Your Proxy Servers
  2. Proxy or VPN for Netflix – Which is Best?
  3. Can You Secure Your Smartphone with a Proxy?
  4. Almost Every Major Free VPN Service is a Glorified Data Farm
  5. What is Dark Web, Search Engines, What Not to Do on Dark Web

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Galaxy S24 series gets its second update in two weeks

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Galaxy S24 series gets its second update in two weeks
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Samsung is rolling out a new update to the Galaxy S24 series. It is the second update for the latest Galaxy flagships in as many weeks. The update is currently available to users in Samsung’s homeland, South Korea. A wider rollout is expected in the coming weeks.

The Galaxy S24 series gets another update with the February patch

Samsung took longer than usual to release the first software update for the Galaxy S24 series. The rollout began in mid-February, about three weeks after early buyers received the devices. The company first pushed the update in its homeland. Users in other regions had to wait another week for it.

The update brought camera improvements and fixed the screen vividness issue. It also introduced the February 2024 Android security patch to the flagship trio. As the update reaches users globally, Samsung is pushing another one in South Korea. The new release comes with the firmware build number S92*NKSU1AXBA.

Screenshots posted online show the update weighs 418MB for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It is a smaller package compared to the first release, which weighed over 555MB for the Korean version of the new Samsung flagship. The OTA (over-the-air) package weighed more in some markets, including India and the US.

Since the Galaxy S24 series has already received the February security patch, this update should bring something else. The “U” in the build number also indicates a feature/bug-fixing update rather than a security patch. However, Samsung’s official changelog doesn’t give away much. It mentions some system stability improvements and nothing else.

This update should reach other regions soon

Interestingly, Indian users received the first update for their Galaxy S24 with this build version (AXBA). The original build in South Korea was AXB5, which was also rolled out in Europe. The US Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra received the first update with build version AXB7. This suggests Samsung will push the new update in markets outside South Korea, or at least in Europe.

As far as the content of the update is concerned, we only know as much as you. Samsung may have identified bugs in the original build and could be fixing them with a second release. Since Indian units received the update after the US and European versions, the company may have already included the patch in the original build. Unfortunately, all of this is mere assumption. We will let you know when we have more details.


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Gemini keeps falling short of Google Assistant by not identifying songs

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Gemini keeps falling short of Google Assistant by not identifying songs
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“Hey Google, what song is playing?” Many of us are used to asking this question when we hear an absolute banger of a song playing in a bar or a restaurant. There are some people who use it so often that it becomes absolutely intuitive. However, it appears that the Google Assistant’s next of kin, Gemini, lacks this years-old functionality. According to a report, Gemini cannot identify songs.

In case you don’t know, Google is in the process of training Gemini to replace Google Assistant. The Google Assistant has been around for almost eight years. However, Google’s ambitious and very rushed generative AI plans have started putting nails into Google Assistant’s coffin. Over the past couple of weeks, Gemini’s assistant function has been gaining more features. For example, just recently, Gemini gained the ability to integrate with Google Assistant to create Tasks. Also, Gemini can now integrate with Google Calendar to view and create events.

However, this still shows how hastily Google threw Gemini out onto the market to keep up with the changing tech landscape. We are all still waiting for it to become a proper replacement for Google Assistant, but that could take a while. Google Assistant was gradually massaged into the Android experience over the course of years; Gemini is only a few months old.

Gemini cannot identify songs, and that’s a bummer

Right now, people using Gemini as an assistant are navigating its limitations. When they summon it to identify a song, rather than give them the song’s name, artist, and links to listen to it (like Google Assistant does), it does something that’s pretty surprising. Looking at the screenshot below, we see that, rather than identifying the song, it gives you suggestions of different apps to use to identify that song and tips on how to use those apps. One of the apps is Apple-owned Shazam.

gemini id song

This method is extremely counterintuitive to the concept of using Google Assistant. People use Google Assistant for the convenience. It’s supposed to quickly let you know what song is on with no additional steps. However, Gemini suggests that you download, install, sign up for, and use different apps just to identify a song. By the time you do that, the song will most likely have passed.

Another thing that Gemini does is recommend that you use Google Assistant… Again, it defeats the purpose of using Gemini if you have to switch to another assistant just to use a simple function.

At this point, we’re certain that Gemini will gain this functionality at some point in the future. It’s currently trickling features down to Gemini over time.

But this is still a major issue

Ever since Google unveiled its first generative AI products, they’ve been rife with issues, missing features, and overall frustration. Sure, the technology powering them is powerful, but Google has been rushing everything to the market. It all started with Google Bard’s unveil when it provided inaccurate information. This rushed mentality continues to this day. Rather than working on porting all of Google Assistant’s abilities over to Gemini internally and then launching a full product, Google launched Gemini as a bare-bones assistant and is slowly adding features.

This is extremely frustrating because people are constantly finding areas where Gemini is a poor assistant. For all its forward-thinking and paradigm-shifting AI prowess, it’s a massive step back compared to what we’ve had years ago. Google Assistant was a part of Android’s DNA and deeply integrated into the operating system. Google Gemini just seems like any AI app you could download from the Play Store. It may as well just be the ChatGPT app.

Google has to get its act together before Apple unveils its AI model. Undoubtedly, when Apple launches its AI model, it’s going to be extremely complete and integrated into the services that Apple users always use. It seems like Apple will take the time to make a complete product before unveiling it rather than unveiling an incomplete product and slowly adding features.


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