Reddit signs multi-million dollar deal with undisclosed company to train AI models

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For years, Reddit functioned as its famous tagline states: “The front page of the internet.” However, last year, much of that changed when the site’s management announced that they were moving to a paid API model, causing more than 6,000 subreddits to go dark in protest and many of the third party apps to shut down. Now, more changes are in tow that could bring on even more backlash against the popular site.
After the site’s changes last year when it began charging for its API, reports began to surface that it was reportedly planning to block sites from scraping its data. This was, of course, concerning to those that would normally search for content within the site by adding “reddit” to Google searches. While AI bot data scraping has been criticized by the likes of X’s Elon Musk, Reddit following suit was not exactly a move that its users were celebrating, as it affected the user experience.

What’s next for Reddit?

Now, as reported by Android Police, a Bloomberg report reveals that Reddit is selling access to its massive user-generated content to a major (but unnamed) AI company. The deal is worth $60 million annually in the lead-up to Reddit’s highly anticipated IPO, which is rumored to take place as early as next month.
However, this isn’t exactly a new development after all. In a previous New York Times interview, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman (/u/spez) made the site’s motivation clear by stating that “The Reddit corpus of data is really valuable, but we don’t need to give all of that value to some of the largest companies in the world for free.”

Reddit monetizing user comments seems like a smart business move in the run-up to its IPO. Still, the decision to monetize its content this way will undoubtedly not be welcomed by many Redditors whose community-driven efforts were the ones that brought the platform to its glory. We will have to wait and see what the company’s exact plans are once more information is disclosed, as well as what the community’s reaction will be to that revelation.


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Samsung’s foldable display passes MIL-STD 810G durability test

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Samsung has obtained the MIL-STD 810G durability certification for its 7-inch foldable display, like the one used on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. It is the first foldable panel in the world to pass this military-grade durability test recognized by the US Department of Defense. The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 should feature the same panel.

Samsung redefines foldable displays with MIL-STD 810G durability

MIL-STD 810G is a durability standard developed by the US military. Originally used to evaluate the durability of military equipment, it is now a commercial durability standard for various devices. The products are put through a series of rigorous tests to determine if they can withstand harsh environmental conditions and rough physical treatment.

According to the Korean media, Samsung requested the Illinois-based global safety science company UL Solutions to verify the durability of its 7-inch foldable display as per the MIL-STD 810G standard, also known as the American ‘Military Specification’ (MilSpec). As part of the test, the firm exposed the panel to a -10°C/14°F temperature and froze it by spraying water to form a layer of ice over it.

It kept the display frozen under 6mm-thick ice for four hours. The foldable panel was perfectly usable after all this. It exhibited no performance issues even when exposed to extreme temperatures ranging between -32°C/90°F and 63°C/145°F for two hours in a row. The firm repeated such sudden temperature changes three times over 12 hours but the display remained strong.

For shock tests, UL Solutions conducted 26 different experiments. These included dropping the display from a height of around 1.22m/122cm in various directions. This is the height people typically use their phones. The panel survived the drops and also went on to defy the gravity acceleration test. It was rotated at speeds up to 10.5 times the force of gravity. Astronauts and aircraft parts reportedly undergo similar tests.

Samsung leads the way in foldable technologies

A MIL-STD 810G durability certification for a foldable display is no small feat. If anyone could achieve that first, it was Samsung. The Korean firm is the most experienced foldable smartphone maker in the world. It leads the way in foldable technologies. The company holds about 1,800 patents related to foldable technologies in the US (applications and granted patents). That is four times more than its nearest competitors.

“Through military spec certification, we confirmed that Samsung Display has a solid technological edge in the foldable display market, which has established itself as the next-generation form factor,” said Cho Yong-seok, head of the marketing team of Samsung Display’s small and medium-sized business division. The company will launch the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 in the second half of 2024.


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Android 15 has a solution for annoying repetitive notifications

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Don’t you hate when you keep getting pinged with repetitive notifications? There are times when you can’t get to your phone to silence your notifications, so they’ll just keep ringing and ringing. However, Android 15 could gradually lower your notification volume when this happens.

The Android 15 developer preview just dropped, and people are looking into the code to see what Google is working on. However, this is extremely early information we’re talking about. So, there’s a chance that the information we’re talking about won’t be 100% accurate. So, you’ll always want to be cautious when listening to news about Android 15 before Google officially announces anything.

If you want to know everything we know about Android 15 so far, we have you covered.

Android 15 gradually could lower your notification volume over time

Picture this, you lay down for the night to go to sleep, but your phone keeps going off. You roll over to find that the phone is across the room, and you are much too lazy to get up and get it. However, the notifications keep rolling in.

This could be extremely annoying, and it happens to us more than we care to admit. However, Mishaal Rahmen made a new post stating that Android 15 is working on a feature that will lower your notification volume gradually if notifications are popping up constantly. It was first spotted in the Android 14 QPR2 Beta, but the Android 15 developer preview gave it a name; it’s called Notification Cooldown.

As the description goes, the software will gradually lower the notification volume if you receive multiple notifications within a short amount of time. However, it’ll only do this if you receive notifications from the same app over and over. So, if you receive five different notifications from five different apps, the notification volume will stay the same. This is good because you will know you’re getting a notification from a different app.

If you’re using the Android 15 developer preview, you should be able to access this by going to your settings, going down to the Notification section, and tapping on the Notification Cooldown button. However, there’s not a toggle for this feature just yet. When you open the page, you’ll only see a description of it. Hopefully, Google will unveil a toggle for this feature in the near future.


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Google’s new LLM was trained on 25 years of engineering expertise

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Google doesn’t only make AI tools for the masses, it’s also working on building AI tools to help it internally. According to a new report, Google launched a new LLM called Goose. This model has been trained on over 25 years of engineering expertise, as Google states.

While Goose is only available internally, Google has its powerful Gemini model available for the general public. If you are curious to know about Gemini, be sure to follow our coverage. Also, we have a piece highlighting everything you need to know about Gemini Advanced. This is the more powerful version of Gemini that you can get for $19.99/month.

Google is launching Goose, the company’s newest LLM for internal use

At this point, we’re pretty sure that most companies are using AI to help streamline business. Undoubtedly, there are many benefits to using AI to help streamline business affairs along with the obvious drawbacks. Right now, Google is focusing on the benefits.

The company is launching a new large language model called Goose, and it’s made to help its workers with coding and developing future products. “It can answer questions around Google-specific technologies, write code using internal tech stacks and supports novel capabilities such as editing code based on natural language prompts,” states an internal summary. So, it seems like it’ll be a general helping hand to assist Google workers with their jobs.

It has a 25,000-token context window. This falls short of Gemini’s 32,000-token context window, but it’s still a huge help. We’re all certain that Google is going to expand Goose throughout the company and continue to work on it to increase its capabilities.

This raises obvious red flags

Whenever we hear about launching AI internally, we all pretty much know what that entails. Jobs are streamlined to the point where human beings are no longer needed. Then, job cuts start happening. We’re not saying that Google will replace companies with its Goose LLM, but it’s not looking good.

Google has already unloaded thousands of jobs this year, and we’re not certain how many more will be eliminated. Now, the company is releasing a powerful AI built for internal use. It won’t be a coincidence if we start seeing headlines about more job cuts at Google shortly after Goose releases.

At the time of writing this article, Goose has been made available to only a few Google employees. However, it’s going to roll out to more users as time goes on. Google wants AI in every stage of product development, and that’s a worrying thing to know. We’re just going to have to see what Google does next.


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Apple finally boots fake crypto app from the App Store but not before over $100k was stolen

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The reason why Apple is against allowing iPhone users to sideload apps is because it allows users to install potentially dangerous apps on their devices that Apple has not had the opportunity to vet. But this vetting process doesn’t always stop a malicious app from getting listed in the App Store. Recently, Apple removed an app from the App Store that gave iOS users illegal access to streaming movies and television shows.
The latest incident involves a fake app named Rabby Wallet & Crypto Solution. The problem is that there is a real crypto app called Rabby Wallet that is under review by Apple. The developer for the real Rabby Wallet app wrote a tweet that says, “A FAKE iOS app has resurfaced. Please note that our iOS app is still under review. Identify the real app by Developer: DeBank (Android) & DeBank Global Pte. Ltd. (iOS). For secure downloads, ONLY use our official website: http://rabby.io.”
Since the real app has yet to be approved and does not have an App Store listing, the cybercriminals behind Rabby Wallet & Crypto Solution are taking advantage of the absence of the real app. On Reddit, subscriber Manolo wrote about the situation and pointed out how the fake app copied the logo from the real one. He says, “What is very concerning is how a closed ecosystem like Apple Appstore would allow blatant use of the real logo, impersonating the real wallet, causing to [sic] huge amount of funds lost….” Manolo says, that according to complaints posted in the Rabby Discord, over $100,000 has been stolen by the fake app.
As recently as two days ago, the fake app was still in the App Store but has since been removed by Apple. On the tech giant’s Discussions page, an iPhone user wrote, “I was also scammed for about 5k USD from this fraudulent app this morning. I have raised a support case with Apple to see if there’s any means of reimbursement as the app has been reported multiple times prior and is still standing 4 years now. Will provide an update on the case if anything comes from my report too.”
While Apple has removed the scam app, it still could be on your iPhone. If you do have Rabby Wallet & Crypto Solution on your device, uninstall it immediately.

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Israeli El Al Alleges Hackers Targeted Flights in Mid-Air Hijack Attempt

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Israel’s national airline confirmed that “hostile elements” attempted to take over the communication network of an El Al plane from Phuket, Thailand to Ben-Gurion Airport.

In the past week, hackers targeted two El Al flights bound for Israel, attempting to hijack their communication networks and divert the aircraft, as reported by The Jerusalem Post. The flights were en route from Thailand to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. It is worth noting that no group has claimed responsibility for this hack.

In the most recent incident, Israel’s national airline confirmed that “hostile elements” attempted to take over the communication network of an El Al plane from Phuket, Thailand to Ben-Gurion Airport, causing it to divert from its destination. Hostile elements contacted pilots twice, once on a flight between Phuket and Ben-Gurion and once on a Bangkok flight.

The aircraft was reportedly flying over an area inhabited by Iranian-backed Houthis. Sources claim the hack may be the work of a Somaliland-based group. For your information, Somaliland is a state in the Horn of Africa.

El Al pilots became suspicious and decided to ignore the sudden change in instructions and switched to another communication channel to double-check their route with air traffic controllers. The airline confirmed that pilots are trained to spot and mitigate threats while in the air. According to the airline, the disruption did not affect the normal course of the flight due to the professionalism of the pilots. 

“The disruption did not affect the normal course of the flight thanks to the professionalism of the pilots who used the alternative means of communication and allowed the flight to continue on the planned route,” the airline’s statement read.

Aircraft safety should be a point of concern within the cybersecurity fraternity given the growing number of incidents targeting airlines. In September 2022, researchers at Necrum Security Labs discovered two critical vulnerabilities in Contec’s wireless LAN devices, specifically the Flexlan FXA3000 and FXA2000 series, which provide WiFi on airplanes.

The Japan-based Flexlan LAN devices in airplanes contained two critical vulnerabilities, CVE–2022–36158 and CVE–2022–36159, allowing hackers to hack the inflight entertainment system and other high-speed internet access points.

Then in January 2024, Pen Test Partners’ cybersecurity researchers identified a critical issue in Airbus’ Flysmart+ Manager suite, which was remediated 19 months after initial disclosure.

The app, according to Pen Test Partners, developed by Airbus-owned IT services company NAVBLUE, had a disabled security control, allowing insecure communication with servers, potentially allowing an attacker to modify aircraft performance data or adjust airport information.

EASA, the EU’s aviation safety agency, recently released the first Easy Access Rules for Information Security to enforce security best practices across various sectors, including suppliers, airlines, airports, communication infrastructure providers, and air towers.

  1. Homeland Security Hackers Remotely Hack Boeing 757
  2. This map shows free WiFi passwords from airports worldwide
  3. Palestinian Engineer Jailed for Hacking Israeli CCTVs & Drones
  4. Flight tracker Flightradar24 hacked; 230,000 accounts affected
  5. Hacker selling classified data on MQ-9 Reaper Drone on dark web

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YouTube TV is rolling out Last Channel Shortcut to everyone

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YouTube TV has been testing a feature called Last Channel Shortcut for a few months. This is a feature that allows you to access the last Channel you were watching quickly. Well, Last Channel Shortcut is rolling out to all YouTube TV subscribers.

This is a pretty small feature, but it’s very convenient. If you’re all on one channel, and you navigate to another one, you have to remember what channel you were on in order to navigate back. So, if you happen to forget, then you’ll have to do the work of searching for that channel again. It can get pretty annoying if you’re trying to swiftly navigate back to the channel you were watching before.

But, YouTube TV is rolling out the Last Channel Shortcut to everyone

This is a simple feature that allows you to quickly go back to the channel you were just watching after switching. So, you won’t have to bother with trying to remember what channel you were watching last.

In order to make sure that you have this, be sure that your app is fully updated. Find YouTube TV on the Google Play Store, and see if you have the green Update button. If you don’t see it, then there’s a chance that you already have the update.

In the YouTube TV app, after you switch to another Channel or video, long press the OK/Select button on the remote. Then, you’ll be taken right back to the last Channel you were just on. It’s as simple as that.

If you don’t see the option, then you’ll probably want to wait a few days for this feature to eventually reach you. It’s currently rolling out, so there’s a chance that it just hasn’t made it to your device yet.

Still on the fence about getting YouTube TV? The service offers hundreds of channels for you to watch. The service costs $72.99/month. If you’re interested, click on the link below.

Check out YouTube TV


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Must-have accessories for every tech enthusiast

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While technology has changed many aspects of life, the versatile, multi-functional Android device remains one that can serve them all.

Whether you’re a hardcore tech geek or just someone who wants the best phone model they can afford, Androids are for you. Plus, you can dress them up with plenty of accessories fit for every Android enthusiast’s purpose. Keep reading to find out what accessories we recommend for every Android owner!

Portable Power Bank

To anyone who is constantly on the move, a portable charger is a must-have. Whether it is during long travels, a camping expedition, or a normal day you spend away from a power source, an awesome portable power bank will make sure your Android device never gives out on you when you need it most.

In particular, this gadget is a real must-have appliance for those who cannot afford to let their gadgets power off while enjoying their game. If you’re into your online games, particularly casino games, you never know how long a game could last. Some casino and slot games place more demands on a battery than other phone uses like messaging and calls, and you wouldn’t want your phone to run out just as you are about to place a bet in a crypto casino. If this is your story, then a power bank is the right device to get, because you are assured you will not run out of battery, and you can still play on with your game.

Gaming Controller

Mobile gaming just got more immersive! Get yourself a gaming controller that’s designed for Android devices which will support many of the most popular mobile games from action games to casual favourites.

A dedicated gaming controller offers precise controls and an enhanced gameplay experience. Choose a gaming controller with comfortable ergonomic design and custom buttons to make it easier to play along, and make sure that it fits your phone as many have specific spots for the phone to sit within while you play with your hands, so you don’t have to hold the phone or find somewhere for it to rest.

Bluetooth Earbuds

Cut the cord and enjoy wireless freedom with Bluetooth earbuds. Perfect for commuting, working out, or simply relaxing at home, Bluetooth earbuds offer a seamless audio solution that pairs effortlessly with your Android device. With superior sound quality and extended battery life, modern Bluetooth earbuds rival traditional wired headphones in every aspect.

Car Phone Mount

Use your Android phone safely while driving with a car phone mount.

Your mobile makes a great alternative to a GPS navigator whilst you travel; use it with a hands-free setup while driving for road directions, to take safe phone calls on the move, or to use streaming music apps – with a phone mount that attaches to the dashboard of your vehicle or car air vent.

External Storage

Boost the storage of your Android device with an external storage drive which is perfect for saving your photos, videos, music, documents, or anything you have on your device and gaining more space overall to keep your digital life well organized.
It is easy to use, simply plug and play files between your Android and external storage drive.

Smartwatch

Give your Android smartphone more room to shine by adding another dimension: a smartwatch. Timepiece, fitness tracker, messages and calls, and a voice command to control your phone too. A smartwatch will take your Android experience to a level beyond your expectations! It makes your phone smarter than ever!

Wireless Charging Pad

Say goodbye to tangled wires and hello to wireless charging with a wireless charging pad for your Android device. Simply place your phone on the pad and enjoy hassle-free charging without the need for cables. With a wireless charging pad, you can keep using your phone while it charges, making it a convenient addition to your tech setup.

Smart Home Devices

Finally, turn your home into a smart home with compatible devices that easily pair with your Android device.

Whether you want to use your Google Smart Home products or smart bulbs to light up your home, these smart products can connect to your phone and can be accessed using voice control.

Be it the thermostat, the lights, or your music of choice, smart home devices make your lifestyle just the more convenient variety.

Boost The Performance of Your Android Phone

To sum up, these Android accessories are essential for any tech lover who wants to improve their experience with an Android device in terms of convenience, robotization, productivity, and entertainment at the same time.

We think that all of these items are essential and will make your life that little bit easier. From helping you enjoy your favorite games to creating a smart home full of intelligent products, these accessories will really improve your lifestyle.


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Chrome for Android may be getting the Desktop version’s “Tab Groups” feature

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If you’re a fan of the existing tab organization tools that Chrome has on the desktop, you’ll be glad to know that the mobile version may be adopting one very helpful one. As per a recent update to the experimental Chrome Canary version 124, the ability to create tab groups — even if you only have a single tab to start with — will be coming to Android.While desktop Chrome has allowed single-tab groups for some time now, this feature will be new to the Android experience. Spotted by @Leopeva64 on X, this feature first appeared back in January in early builds of the mobile browser, However, at the time it was grayed out so it could not be used. In this latest version of Chrome Android Canary, though, the feature appears to be fully functional by enabling the experimental #android-tab-group-stable-ids flag.

As documented in the above X post, the feature will work by tapping on the three-dot menu, choosing “Select tabs”, picking the tabs you’d like to group, then selecting “Group tabs.” From there, you’ll be able to add more tabs, rename the group, rearrange tabs within it, and use all the typical tab group features.


It is important to note that considering that at this time this is only working with Chrome Canary and also requires the use of a flag, we can certainly say that this is still in the very early stages. Chrome Canary is mainly for Developers’ use to test new features, and adding experimental flags to that mix, makes the browser even more unstable. It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: this is not recommended for regular use.

However, Chrome Canary is a very good way to get a glimpse at what Google is working on for its browser, however unpolished the experience may be. The fact that this setting has been available since earlier this year and it continues to be worked on, is a good sign that this will make it to the stable version in a few months.


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US Galaxy S22 and A54 pick up Samsung’s February update

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Last week, Samsung rolled out its February 2024 update to the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy A54 in Europe. The update has now reached other parts of the world, including the US. It brings the latest security patch with several dozen vulnerability fixes.

Galaxy S22 and A54 grab Samsung’s February update in the US

The February SMR (Security Maintenance Release) is currently rolling out to the carrier-locked variants of the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra in the US. The update comes with the firmware build number S90*USQS4DXB1. A wider rollout covering unlocked units should be on the horizon.

This update is also available in Canada with the build number S90xWVLS4DXB1. Samsung will gradually push it to all eligible Galaxy S22 units globally. The devices are getting 69 security fixes with the new SMR. These include three critical Android OS patches from Google. The update doesn’t bring anything more, so don’t expect new features or improvements.

It is the same pattern for the Galaxy A54 as well. Samsung is initially updating the carrier-locked variants of the 2023 premium mid-range handset in the US. The device is picking up the February update with firmware version A546USQS6BXB1, at least on some networks. It is A546VSQS6BXA8 for Verizon users. Samsung should roll out the update to all users soon.

Regardless of the build number, the changelog for the update remains the same. All Galaxy A54 users in the US are getting nothing more than the latest security fixes here. This is true for all Samsung devices globally this month. The Korean behemoth is preparing to push the One UI 6.1 feature update to eligible models. Its February release is all about security fixes.

One UI 6.1 will bring new AI features

One UI 6.1 is the latest version of Samsung’s custom Android skin. Based on Android 14, the new version debuted with the Galaxy S24 series last month. It brought a host of new AI features. The company has baked AI into the system. You find AI features in the camera, gallery, Samsung Notes, Samsung Keyboard, calling app, and more.

Samsung has already announced that One UI 6.1 will roll out to over 100 million Galaxy devices in the next few months. Along with all recent flagships, the company is also expected to update a few mid-range models. The Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy A54 are eligible for this update, though the availability of features may vary depending on compatibility. The rollout should begin in a few weeks.


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