Galaxy S24: special AI features and what they mean for you

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Galaxy S24: special AI features and what they mean for you
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Samsung’s latest series of Galaxy S24 phones is finally official and — surprise, surprise! — so is Galaxy AI: a slew of AI-fueled features that have made the flagships their home.

I think it’s safe to say that the trendiest thing of 2023 was AI. The way in which the technology — which wasn’t in any way new in concept, really — blew up just because of a few apps that would recreate you in different styles of art was kind of new-age, yet expected.

But, oh boy, if you thought that AI was just a trend of yesteryear, have I got news for you. The technology is about to become a central part of the best phones of 2024. Samsung seems to be the first to that party thus far, with Galaxy AI being a huge focus for the Korean giant’s marketing strategy.

But what is this all about? Has Samsung made just another ChatGPT clone or could these features actually be useful for a Galaxy fan’s daily routine, should they decide to upgrade to a phone from the Galaxy S24 series?

What is Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S24?

Samsung introduced Galaxy AI alongside with the official reveal of its Galaxy S24 series of phones. The term is used to describe a series of AI-enabled features — a mix of ones you’ve seen before and cool new tricks — found on these latest flagship phones.

Sammy has tried to approach the subject matter of AI in a rational way: no single function is so crazy that people would have a hard time understanding (or using) it. And while tech aficionados may be disappointed by this approach, since the selection isn’t anything groundbreaking, the idea makes total sense: AI is becoming mainstream, but isn’t quite there yet, so this is a great way to get more people on board to try it.

At the same time, the clever choice to mix on-device and cloud-based AI computing was made so that Samsung could minimize any concerns regarding user data. The mix allows most of the data involved in Galaxy AI processes to stay on your phone, which some users will certainly appreciate.

The Galaxy AI suite doesn’t seem to be centralized either. Meaning, you won’t go to a dedicated Galaxy AI app in order to get things going. Instead, the features are seamlessly sprinkled throughout OneUI itself and are one tap or gesture away from being put to use: some hiding on the Galaxy S24’s keyboard, others in the camera app, etc.

What features does Galaxy AI on Galaxy S24 bring?

Circle to Search

This is Samsung’s fun new way to search for things in a more seamless manner on your Galaxy S24 phone. The title explains it all: if you’re, say, watching a video about plants on YouTube and you see one that you’re not familiar with, you can:

  1. Tap and hold on the Home button
  2. Circle (or tap) on the plant
  3. Get results about what that plant is, without ever leaving YouTube

But that isn’t all. Because while “circle to search” sounds really catchy, the reality is that you can also scribble over items or tap on them. And this only make sense, right? This sounds like a feature focused on the user-experience and that’s a must if the company wants it to catch on with users.  

Live Translate

Don’t get this one mixed-up with the one from Google. The Big G’s variant is capable of translating texts or even transcribing audio from vids pretty quickly, but Samsung’s take means things literally: a real time translation during a live phone call.

Well, almost real time. I mean, even translators can’t translate in real time, since they’d have to hear what is being said first. Same goes for the AI: it hears what the speaker is saying and after a short time, translates that into a language you can understand.

For the time being, 13 languages are supported, but Samsung may introduce more with time, depending on the popularity of Live Translate. Oh, and by the way: this is one of the features that happens entirely on your device, so your data is safe. As in: business owners are nudged to pick up on this one.

Interpreter

What about if you’re not on a call, though? Well, Samsung has considered that too and hence: this feature. It turns your Galaxy S24 into a split-screen experience, allowing you to break the language barrier. People on both sides get a transcription of what the other one is saying in a language that they can understand.

Chat Assist

You’ve seen this one before: you get a text in a foreign language and the Galaxy S24 will be able to translate that for you. Neat.

What is new here, however, is Tone Tweak. This is an AI feature that aims to simplify the brainstorming process during texting for you. Say you want to say “Thanks a lot”, but in a professional manner, but the words just aren’t coming for whatever reason.

Well, with the push of a button, Galaxy AI can bring up several variants for you, which you can pick from.

Hands-free communication assistant on the road

This one seamlessly integrates with Android Auto, even bringing a touch of OneUI’s design magic to your car. But we’re here to talk about Galaxy AI, so how does that play into things?

Well, basically, the assistant is capable of going through your texts and summarizing them for you out loud, so that you don’t have to look at your phone or look at your car’s screen.

Not only that, but it can offer you suggested actions. You’ll be able to pick one from the list and then the AI will do the texting while you focus on the road. Sweet.

Transcript Assist

We’ve seen this one on Google’s Pixel line of phones before, but it’s nice to see it becoming more mainstream: live transcriptions. Basically, you can let the voice recorder on your Galaxy S24 run and it will transcribe the recording as it happens.

Will the feature become more advanced, introducing things like speaker labels in the future? We hope so.

Note Assist in Samsung Notes

Galaxy AI can help you set up notes from pre-existing templates, which seem to be based on your reoccurring needs. This means that the AI will monitor to check if you’re making, for example, grocery lists often and if you are, it may start offering you premade templates to save you some time.

What’s really cool about this one is that the templates get these little custom covers with summaries and icons. A really neat personal touch!

Oh, and for those of you who are eager to get their hands on a Galaxy S24 Ultra: the Samsung Notes app will now utilize AI to read your handwriting better. What’s more, it will be able to straighten out handwriting via the S Pen too, so that it looks better. Neat.

Another cool trick that Samsung showed off during it’s Galaxy AI presentation was especially designed for note takers (just like me!). With Samsung Notes, you don’t need to add bullets: you can just jot everything down as it comes and, with a tap of a button, Galaxy AI can reorder and rephrase your notes in a more presentable and understandable manner.  

Galaxy AI and photography on the Galaxy S24:

AI Photo Editing:

  • Edit Suggestion: AI will be able to scan your shot and suggest ways to improve it automatically.

  • AI-powered editing: users will be able to remove blurring, reflections or to make their photos more crisp manually, if they don’t like the automated suggestions.

  • Generative editing: Want to straighten out your shot without cropping it? This one can fill in the empty spaces created in the process. It will also allow you to delete objects from a photo, without leaving an ugly blemish behind. Oh, and it can also let you move things around entirely, if that’s your preferred way of doing things

AI Zoom

Digital zoom? Not enough! The Galaxy S24 series is rocking AI Zoom too, which basically means that it’s using some AI magic to fill in the blanks between digital zoom distances. Sure: digital zoom already isn’t winning the populace’s favor, but having another option on board can’t hurt, right?

Instant Slow-Mo:

Have you ever wanted to slow down a video, only to find that it becomes choppy and unpleasant to view? Well, this one takes care of that issue via AI. Essentially, what is happening is that the AI is making up new frames between the existing frames, allowing you to enjoy a slow motion video even with clips captured outside of a dedicated slow-mo mode.

What else do you need to know about Galaxy AI?

There are two facts that must be noted when talking about features, related to Galaxy AI:

  • Some features will need you to have an active internet connection in order for them to work, and others will require a Samsung account too.
  • Some AI-fueled features, related to images, won’t be supported by all social media platforms (likely, instant messaging apps too), so what you see on a Galaxy S24 phone won’t always be what other people are seeing.
  • Any photos or videos, which have been produced with the help of Galaxy AI, will contain special metadata traces, so that bad actors won’t be able to fool anyone.

For a quick refresh: metadata is basically hidden info about files. For photos, it could contain the device they were captured with or for videos: the date when they were taken. Metadata isn’t hard-coded into files, though and can be altered with a bit of effort, so keep that in mind. And that’s about all of the Galaxy AI features that we know about for the time being. A lot of them sound pretty familiar, right? Most of those: from Google’s Pixel line of phones. While it is nice to see those leave the mothership so that other Android fans can enjoy them too, it will be interesting to see if Samsung brings even more to Galaxy AI in the future.

In the meantime, if this was enough to tip the scales and make you crave a Galaxy S24 series phone, you should know that pre-orders are already live and will last through to the end of January.


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Kaspersky’s iShutdown Tool Detects Pegasus Spyware on iOS Devices

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Kaspersky’s iShutdown Tool Detects Pegasus Spyware on iOS Devices
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The iShutdown tool has been launched a few weeks after Kaspersky cybersecurity researchers revealed significant insights into Operation Triangulation. This investigation delves into how spyware threats compromise iPhones.

Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) has introduced a new tool that lets users detect Pegasus, a popular iOS spyware known for targeting journalists and activists. This lightweight method called iShutdown will identify signs of spyware on Apple iOS devices, including three prominent spyware families Pegasus, QuaDream’s Reign, and Intellexa’s Predator.

The iShutdown tool is now available to the public, seven months after Kaspersky Labs initially reported the hacking of its employees’ iPhones, referred to as Operation Triangulation. In December 2023, the company released an update disclosing that hackers likely exploited an obscure hardware feature during spyware attacks against iPhone users.

The method was tested on a set of Pegasus-compromised iPhones. However, it must be noted that this method/tool is different from the iShutdown iOS application that allows Mac devices to shut down/sleep/restart/log out.

According to the cybersecurity firm, traces of Pegasus-related processes were discovered in a text-based system log file called “Shutdown.log” on iPhones compromised with the spyware. 

The log file is stored within the sysdiagnose archive of iOS devices. It records every reboot event with its environmental characteristics and is a generally overlooked forensic artefact. It can have entries dating back several years, providing valuable information. When a user initiates a reboot, the operating system terminates running processes, flushing memory buffers, and waiting for a normal reboot.

Its analysis revealed “sticky” processes that hinder reboots. Pegasus-related processes were found in over four reboot delay notices. These anomalies during reboot procedures allowed the tool to flag potential infections with high accuracy. Further analysis revealed a similar filesystem path used by all three spyware families, “/private/var/db/” for Pegasus and Reign, and “/private/var/tmp/” for Predator, as an indicator of compromise.

Kaspersky GReAT’s lead security researcher, Maher Yamout, has confirmed the log’s consistency with other Pegasus infections, making it a reliable forensic artefact for infection analysis. The tool offers enhanced protection to a broader user base.

“Compared to more time-consuming acquisition methods such as forensic device imaging or a full iOS backup, Shutdown.log file recovery is pretty simple,” explained Yamout.

Kaspersky has developed a Python3 utility on GitHub for macOS, Windows, and Linux users to detect spyware. The tool extracts, analyzes, and parses Shutdown.log artifacts. It simplifies detection and raises awareness, empowering users to take control of their digital security.

Kaspersky's iShutdown Tool Detects Pegasus Spyware on iOS Devices

However, Kaspersky suggests users adopt a holistic approach towards data and device security. The company recommends users perform daily reboots, use lockdown mode, disable iMessage and FaceTime, timely iOS updates, and regular check backups.

The announcement comes after SentinelOne’s report revealing that information stealers targeting macOS like KeySteal, Atomic, and JaskaGo are quickly adapting to circumvent Apple’s built-in antivirus technology called XProtect.

  1. QuaDream, Israeli iPhone hacking spyware firm, to shut down
  2. European Spyware Vendor Offering Android, iOS Device Exploits
  3. iPhone Spyware Exploits Obscure Chip Feature, Targets Researchers
  4. Apple’s iPhone Hack Attack Warnings Spark Political Firestorm in India
  5. NSO zero-click iMessage exploit hacks iPhone without need to click links

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How to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S24 series phones

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How to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S24 series phones
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If you’re thinking about upgrading to the Galaxy S24 or either of its more feature-rich counterparts, you’ll likely want to pre-order. There’s a good reason for that, too. Most places offering pre-orders will have some sort of promotion. Where if you pre-order the device before it officially launches, you’ll get a bonus of some kind.

This year, the main promotion is if you pre-order by a certain date, you’ll be able to double your storage on the device. So, for example, if you were to pre-order the Galaxy S24 128GB model, you’ll be able to get bumped to the 256GB model for the same price. This promotion will only last until January 30, however. So you will only have a little under two weeks to take advantage of it. The Galaxy S24 series officially launches on January 31. And at that time, pre-order pricing and promotions will be over. That being said, if you’re looking to pre-order any of the three devices, here’s how to do that.

How to pre-order the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra

How you pre-order is really up to you, but you should be able to do it in a couple of different ways. If you’re getting the phone from a carrier, like Verizon or AT&T, then you should be able to pre-order any of these three new phones in-store. You’ll also be able to place your pre-order online at their respective websites.

Samsung and its retail partners will also be offering pre-orders online through their official stores. Pre-ordering online will certainly be the most efficient method. As you can do it from anywhere. But if you’re already out and about and close to a store, you could pop in and do it that way too.

Where to pre-order

Not everyone shops at the same stores. As such, most brands want to put their products in as many stores as they can. With the Galaxy S24, you’ll be able to pre-order from your usual retailers. This includes carriers and Samsung’s own website among others.

Samsung

Samsung will of course be one of the main places people go to pre-order the device. You’ll be able to pre-order starting today directly on Samsung’s website. And doing so before January 31 will get you the best possible price and deal on these devices. You also get an additional $50 off your phone purchase if you buy through the two direct links below that lead to Samsung’s website.

– Galaxy S24/Galaxy S24+

– Galaxy S24 Ultra

Verizon

Verizon will begin pre-orders for the Galaxy S24 series on January 17 and you can finalize a pre-order through January 30. As mentioned above, the promotions will end once January 31 rolls around. Verizon will have all three phones with their respective colorways available. The Galaxy S24 will be available in Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, and Amber Yellow. It’ll start at $799.99 or you can split it up into payments over 36 months at $22.22 a month on the device payment plan.

If you’re looking to go for the Galaxy S24+, you can pre-order it in Icy Blue, Phantom Black, or Cream colorways. It’ll start at $999.99 or payments can be split up to $27.77 a month for 36 months. Those looking for the biggest and baddest device will want to go with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This will start at $1,299.99 a month, or you can split it up into payments of $36.11 a month for 36 months. As for colors, Verizon will offer the phone in Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow.

– Galaxy S24

– Galaxy S24+

– Galaxy S24 Ultra

AT&T

AT&T has also confirmed that you’ll be able to pre-order the Galaxy S24 series devices and pre-orders will be available for new and existing customers. Online pre-orders will start on January 17 and be available through January 30 with the choice of Unlimited Your Way plans. Pre-orders will also be available in-store.

AT&T will also be offering all colorways of each device, and full retail prices will be the same. However, AT&T is doing something a little differently for its trade-in. If you trade in an older Galaxy phone, any year and in any condition, you’ll get a Galaxy S24 or Galaxy S24+ on AT&T. Basically AT&T is saying you will get the phone free of charge by trading in your older Galaxy device. This is also guaranteed by the carrier, but you’ll need to be on the compatible Unlimited Your Way plan.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra won’t be free, but you can get $1,000 off the cost. And that’s a pretty nice discount when you factor in the double storage promo as well.

– Galaxy S24

– Galax S24+

– Galaxy S24 Ultra

T-Mobile

T-Mobile just like the other carriers will offer all three phones in all of its colorways. You can pick up the phone with its double storage promotional discount if you pre-order anytime between January 17 and January 30. You can also pay for the phone outright or pay for it in installments over your monthly bill. Additionally, you can save even more if you trade in your old device.

– Galaxy S24

– Galaxy S24+

– Galaxy S24 Ultra

Xfinity Mobile

Xfinity Mobile customers won’t be left out. The Galaxy S24 series will be available for pre-order through the carrier. Xfinity Mobile will also be offering trade-in promotions. Customers who trade in their old Galaxy phone can get up to $800 off the new Galaxy S24 series devices. And those who pre-order can also get double the storage. The same promotion that Samsung, Verizon, and AT&T are running.

If you don’t have a phone to trade in, Xfinity will still offer up to $500 off for Galaxy S24 series pre-orders, and double the storage should be available as well. As with the other retailers, these promotions only run through January 30 since the phone launches on January 31.

– Galaxy S24

– Galaxy S24+

– Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Buy

Best Buy is one of the cornerstones of consumer electronics retail in the US, and as such you can expect the Galaxy S24 series to be available for pre-order here as well. The same pricing applies to all three devices as long as stock is available. And if you pre-order you get the storage bump for your chosen device.

– Galaxy S24

– Galaxy S24+

– Galaxy S24 Ultra

Amazon

Amazon, naturally, will have these for pre-order as well as the largest online retailer globally. Customers can expect to get any of the three devices in whatever storage option they choose, along with double the storage promos that offer the phones at their respective pricing. That being said, Amazon isn’t going to be offering any other sorts of promotions. Such as trade-in discounts. If you’re looking to save more money, you might want to consider pre-ordering at places like Best Buy, Samsung, or your carrier if you want the trade-in specials.

– Galaxy S24

– Galaxy S24+

– Galaxy S24 Ultra


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The Galaxy S24 uses Google’s Gemini model to power its AI

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The Galaxy S24 uses Google’s Gemini model to power its AI
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Samsung just announced the new Galaxy S24, and the company really dug into the AI features coming with these phones. These features use some advanced AI prowess, and most of them are all done on-device. Where are these AI smarts coming from? Well, Samsung announced that Galaxy AI is powered by Google’s Gemini.

Last year, Google announced Gemini. This is the next generation of the company’s AI models. The company announced three versions of the model, and the smallest one is called Gemini Nano. Able to fit on a phone, Gemini Nano can power a ton of on-device AI tasks.

Samsung announced that Galaxy AI is powered by Google Gemini

Developing advanced generative AI is a time-consuming endeavor. It requires a ton of R&D, millions of dollars, and a bunch of time. Samsung, being mostly a hardware company, didn’t really put a ton of energy into AI development. So, it seemed a bit odd that the company was able to develop Galaxy AI so quickly. It brings some powerful generative AI to the Galaxy S24 phones.

Well, don’t scratch your head over this too much. During the Unpacked event, Samsung just announced that its Galaxy AI is powered by Google’s Gemini. This should come as no surprise, as Google and Samsung have a very close partnership. So, with this news, we now know of three chips that have Gemini Nano implemented onto them: Tensor G3, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and Exynos 2400.

What AI features did Samsung announce?

For a full list, check out our rundown of all the AI features Samsung announced at Galaxy Unpacked. Some of the notable features that Samsung announced include smart translation features. Interpret is a tool that lets you translate a one-on-one conversation between people in real time. It will actively translate everything being said.

Also, if you’re using the Samsung Dialer app, you’ll be able to translate your conversations in real time. These are just a few of the amazing features that are coming to the Galaxy S24 series phones. Below, you’ll see the links to pre-order these phones. using these links will get you $50 off of your price!

Pre-order the Galaxy S24 Ultra

Pre-order the Galaxy S24/S24+


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The Galaxy S24 will get seven years of software updates

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The Galaxy S24 will get seven years of software updates
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Samsung just announced its new Galaxy S24 phones, and we’re really excited to see what they will bring. One of the major announcements (alongside the new AI features) that happened during today’s Unpacked event had to do with these phones’ software updates. According to Samsung, the Galaxy S24 phones will come with seven years of software support.

This makes the second major Android OEM to offer this many years of software updates. Notably, Google announced that the Pixel 8 phones will receive seven full years of software updates. This means that the phones will be supported until the year 2030.

At first, we were skeptical about Google’s claims because we know that software updates and platform upgrades are two different things. However, Google announced that the Pixel 8 will receive a new version of Android every year of its support. So, it will be supported until Android 21.

Pre-order the Galaxy S24 Ultra

Pre-order the Galaxy S24/S24+

The Galaxy S24 phones will have seven years of software support

When it comes to Samsung, the company has been improving its update game over the years. In 2020, the company announced that its phones would get five years of software support with four major platform upgrades. Seemingly in response to what Google did, Samsung took another leap forward with software updates.

The company announced today that the Galaxy S24 phones will have seven years of software support. Again, any person would be skeptical about this because of the difference between software updates and platform upgrades. However, the company stated that this phone will receive seven years of major Android platform upgrades. This means that the phone should be supported until Android version 21. That’s pretty far in the future, and Android would have run out of letters of the alphabet by then.

It’s great to see more companies embracing longer lives for their phones. Right now, smartphones are getting much more capable, and they’re better able to stand the test of time. Nowadays, a five-year-old phone can still operate and perform as a daily driver. These phones are getting better and more equipped to last, and the only thing missing is proper software support


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New Disclaimer Reveals Data Tracking

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New Disclaimer Reveals Data Tracking
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Google’s New Disclaimer Confuses Users with Data Collection Admission – It All Happened After the Company Had to Face a Whopping $5 Billion Lawsuit.

For years, “Go incognito” has been the whispered mantra for those seeking online privacy. Google Chrome’s private browsing mode promised a cloak of anonymity, letting users roam the web free from watchful eyes. But a recent lawsuit and a quiet update by Google have cast a shadow over this digital haven, raising questions about its effectiveness and the company’s commitment to user privacy.

Google’s New Disclaimer

Google has updated its Incognito mode ‘disclaimer’ to reflect its data collection practices, which were previously unnoticed and got the company into legal trouble. The Chrome Incognito mode disclaimer initially stated users could “browse privately,” but the new version claims more privacy.

The update was added to the Chrome Canary build, a version (122.0.6251.0) created for developers that includes experimental releases and is updated daily. The Incognito mode disclaimer previously stated:

“Now you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won’t see your activity. However, downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved.”

After the update in Canary, the disclaimer states the following:

“Others who use this device won’t see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved.”

Old and New disclaimers (Screenshot credit: Hackread.com)

Both versions acknowledge that web activity may still be visible to sites, but the newer version informs users that websites, including Google, continue to collect browsing data in Incognito tabs, allowing tracking of Incognito users and Google users using Google services like Ad Manager and Analytics. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers cited this as a reason for ruling against Google’s motion for summary judgment in a privacy lawsuit.

For your information, in 2020, Google faced a $5 billion class action lawsuit for collecting user data through its services in Incognito Mode. The lawsuit alleged that Google tracked sensitive user data, such as browsing history, device data, and IP addresses even when users believed they were surfing privately.

Google initially dismissed the allegations, but US District Judge Lucy Koh disagreed, stating that Google never explicitly informed users about its continued data collection. The company then stated that the websites collect data in this mode, but the disclaimer does not mention it.

Google redesigned its Incognito mode pages, but this has not been enough. The company, thus, had to agree to pay $5 billion in settlement in December 2023, expected to be presented for court approval by February 24, 2024. It also reworded the disclaimer and changed everything else except the first paragraph to appear more transparent about data collection practices in Incognito mode.

Google has added disclaimers to Chrome Canary on Android, Windows, and other platforms when users open a new incognito tab/window. It is worth noting that Incognito mode is not anonymous, and third-party cookie tracking prevention is enabled by default to protect user activity. Still, the case highlights the need for more transparent data collection practices, particularly in sensitive features like Incognito mode, by tech giants like Google.

For insights into this, we reached out to John Bambenek, President at Bambenek Consulting. “Incognito mode, and its equivalent, to other browsers, has never offered much more privacy protection than people hiding their web viewing habits from their parents or partners,” John argued.

“This lawsuit highlights that this mode doesn’t offer much in the way of privacy at all. While organizations were concerned about what third parties might be collecting about their employees or their workplace, they should be focusing on migrating to privacy-centric, browsers, and using browsing plug-ins that prevent websites from collecting data in the first place,” he advised.

What Does All This Mean?

So, what does this mean for the web-weary wanderer? First, a dose of realism: incognito mode is not magic. Embrace its limitations, and consider alternative tools for truly sensitive web journeys. Second, demand more transparency. Google’s quiet update, while a step in the right direction, pales in comparison to the need for clear, comprehensive explanations of data collection practices.

Ultimately, the battle for online privacy is far from over. Google’s incognito update is a small victory, a flicker of light in the ever-growing digital surveillance landscape. But the fight for truly private browsing, for a web where anonymity isn’t an illusion, continues.

The onus lies on users to stay informed, to demand accountability, and to push for technological solutions that respect our right to digital discretion. Only then can the internet become a space where “incognito” truly means unseen, unheard, and ultimately, free?

  1. $4 billion lawsuit claim Google tracked iPhone users’ activity
  2. Google Facing Lawsuit Over Tracking Users in Incognito Mode
  3. Microsoft sued for alleged misuse of stolen Dark Web credentials
  4. Dutch Watchdog Sues Adobe Over Mass Collection of Citizen Data
  5. DuckDuckGo study claims Google Incognito searches are not private

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Google could layoff a few hundred more employees from its ad sales team

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Google could layoff a few hundred more employees from its ad sales team
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After firing over 1,000 employees as we enter 2024, Google is planning yet another round of layoffs for its advertising sales team. Business Insider first learned and reported this. Subsequently, The Verge reached out to the company. One spokesperson confirmed to the publication that this decision involves getting rid of “a few hundred roles globally” as part of a restructuring plan. Notably, he mentioned that affected employees can apply for other roles within Google.

Google is laying off more than a hundred jobs globally

The first news about Google’s potential layoff came from Business Insider, which somehow accessed an internal memo from Google’s senior vice president, Philipp Schindler. The memo hinted that the job cuts would mainly affect the Large Customer Sales (LCS) unit, dealing with ads for big businesses.

On the other hand, the Google Customer Solutions team (GCS), handling ads for smaller clients, is going to become the main ad sales team. There were previous reports of job cuts in the LCS team in October of last year. More importantly, California’s tech major has made layoffs in other teams, including Pixel, Nest products, and engineering.

The industry is changing rapidly

While Google has often been likened to Apple, the dynamics might be shifting. Microsoft has surpassed Apple to become the world’s most valuable company. Amid this, Google has introduced new tools like Bard and Gemini to compete with the likes of Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT. With upcoming releases like the Pixel 9 series, Google seems poised to secure its standing. Consequently, the recent changes within the company may aim at aligning its workforce with evolving business needs.

Tech layoffs have been in pretty bad shape over the last few years. Layoffs.fyi, a website tracking tech layoffs, reports that layoffs affected an alarming 260,000 employees worldwide in 2023 alone. As we transition into 2024, the situation persists, with over 7,500 individuals already experiencing layoffs.


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Want to use your watch as a wireless mouse? You can with this free app

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Want to use your watch as a wireless mouse? You can with this free app
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At the CES 2024 event, tech companies showcased a lot of cool concepts. Doublepoint was one of these companies that demoed a very interesting application called WowMouse. The tiny little app is capable of turning WearOS-based smartwatches into a wireless mouse.

While most of the other concepts showcased at the tech show won’t make it to the market, WowMouse is already available.

WowMouse connection

WowMouse offers open-air gestures to control the mouse of your notebooks

Made by the touch interface company, WowMouse offers slightly similar features as the Apple Watch’s Double Tap functionality. The Double Tap feature only lets you use air gestures to control the Apple Watch. However, the WowMouse application takes the game to the next level and lets you use open-air gestures to control your laptops.

WowMouse not only lets you use gestures to control devices, but it also enables instant Bluetooth connectivity to a range of products. These devices can include smartphones, tablets, computers, headsets, and more. When using the app as a wireless mouse for your desktop, simply hit your index finger and thumb together. You can move around your arm to control the cursor.

Though it might sound gimmicky, the app appears to be working very usable in hands-on demos. You can watch a demo video posted by Snazzy Labs on X, where it appears to be working very well. Essentially, the app utilizes the existing sensors of your smartwatch to convert it into a spatial mouse. One of the best use cases of the app is when moving around during a presentation on your notebook.

Wowmouse use cases

Tested on Samsung’s WearOS watches, WowMouse is available for free

The WowMouse app is available to download for free on the Google Play Store. The app was released on January 5th, but received a major update on January 16th. The developer’s description reads that the gesture detection algorithm has been most tested on Samsung’s WearOS watches.

The officially tested devices by the developer include the Galaxy Watch 4, Watch 5, and Watch 6. As per some reports, WowMouse doesn’t support the first-generation and second-generation Google Pixel watches.


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New Phishing Scam Hooks META Businesses with Trademark Threats

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New Phishing Scam Hooks META Businesses with Trademark Threats
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The phishing scam falsely asserts that the victim’s Facebook page will be permanently deleted due to a post allegedly infringing on trademark rights. However, there is no actual infringement; it’s all part of the scammer’s malicious plan.

In a recent wave of cybersecurity threats, scammers have unleashed a sophisticated phishing scam targeting META business owners on Facebook. Perpetrators are sending deceptive messages claiming trademark rights infringements, posing a severe risk to unsuspecting page owners.

Trademark Infringement Phishing Scam Targets META Business Owners on Facebook
Messages sent by scammers to Hackread.com and several other pages have also been reaching out to us. Users have noticed a sudden increase in receiving similar messages (Screenshot: Hackread.com).

A concerning phishing scam has emerged, specifically targeting business owners associated with Meta Platforms, Inc. Scammers are exploiting fears of trademark rights infringements, attempting to force page owners into clicking on malicious links under the guise of resolving alleged policy violations.

In reality, the scam is aimed at stealing the email address and password of the Facebook account further leading to the takeover of the page, profile and financial information.

The fraudulent message, seemingly originating from a supposed temporary support agent, warns recipients of an impending permanent deletion of their Facebook page. The scam leverages the authority of Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly Facebook, to create an atmosphere of urgency and legitimacy.

The Deceptive Message:

“Important Notification: Your Facebook page will be permanently deleted due to a post that infringes our trademark rights. We have made this decision after careful consideration and in compliance with our intellectual property protection policies. If you believe this is a misunderstanding, please submit a complaint requesting the restoration of this page before it is removed from Facebook.

Request for Review: We understand that this may impact your current business objectives. If we do not receive a complaint from you, this will be our final decision.

Thank You, This is a message from a temporary support agent with support ID 231778895, please visit the link above and follow the instructions. © Noreply Facebook. Meta Platforms, Inc., Attention: Community Support, 1 Facebook Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025.”

Sophistication of Phishing Page

In normal circumstances, scammers and two-bit thieves create phishing pages which are full of coding errors, spelling and grammar mistakes. Additionally, their design lacks sophistication and often turns out to be broken pages.

However, the ongoing phishing scam is quite sophisticated only and only because of its flawless design. A look at the screenshot captured by Hackread.com shows scammers have become professional in coding and web design:

Trademark Infringement Phishing Scam Targets META Business Owners on Facebook
The UI of the phishing page looks as authentic as possible (Screenshot: Hackread.com).

Modus Operandi

The phishing scam involves collecting personal data, including full names, email addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth. It deceives victims by prompting them to file an appeal, but before doing so, they are asked to sign in to their accounts. Once signed in, the scammers siphon off their email and password.

Trademark Infringement Phishing Scam Targets META Business Owners on Facebook
Your email and password are gone (Screenshot: Hackread.com)

In the next stage of the scam, victims are requested to provide additional Personally Identifiable Information (PII) for supposed verification, such as an ID card, passport, or driver’s license. However, uploading these documents leads nowhere; it is merely a gimmick to keep the victims busy. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the scammers attempt to change the passwords of the victims’ email addresses and Facebook accounts.

Trademark Infringement Phishing Scam Targets META Business Owners on Facebook
We submitted McLOVIN’s ID but unfortunately, it did not go through (Screenshot: Hackread.com)

The scam relies on the victim’s anxiety about losing their Facebook page and business reputation. By including an official-looking Meta Platforms, Inc. copyright notice and a seemingly authentic support ID, scammers aim to lend credibility to their fraudulent message.

This isn’t the first instance of Meta business owners falling victim to a phishing scam. In October 2023, Vietnamese hackers were reported to have employed DarkGate malware targeting META accounts in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Protecting Against the Scam:

To safeguard against falling victim to this phishing scam, business owners are urged to:

  • Verify Official Communications: Authentic notifications from Facebook or Meta Platforms, Inc. would typically appear directly in the platform, not via external links.
  • Cross-Check Support IDs: Legitimate support communications usually come from official channels within the platform, not from temporary support agents with ambiguous IDs.
  • Exercise Caution with Links: Avoid clicking on any suspicious links. Official communications and actions can typically be verified by accessing the platform directly.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, caution is crucial. META business owners and Facebook page administrators are advised to stay informed about potential scams and report any suspicious activity to the platform’s official channels.

Stay tuned for updates on cybersecurity measures and protect your online presence against emerging threats. Follow us on Twitter (X) @Hackread – Facebook @ /Hackread.

Microsoft, PayPal, Facebook most targeted brands in phishing scams

Facebook Phishing Scam: Crooks Using Messenger Chatbots to Steal Data

Facebook Phishing Scam Steals Login Data Using ‘Account Violation’ Policy


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iPhone 15 Pro Max was the fastest 5G phone in US in Q4, reports Ookla

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iPhone 15 Pro Max was the fastest 5G phone in US in Q4, reports Ookla
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Internet research firm Ookla has released its latest Speedtest test report. The report claims that the top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro Max was the fastest 5G phone in the US during Q4 2023. The second spot on the list is also taken by another Apple offering, the iPhone 15 Pro. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra flagships are also among the fastest phones on the list.

iPhone 15 Pro Max managed to achieve a whopping median download speed of 213.84Mbps

According to the Ookla report, the iPhone 15 Pro Max managed to achieve a maximum median download speed of 213.84Mbps. It also offered the highest median upload speed of 14.70Mbps. As for the iPhone 15 Pro, it was the second fastest 5G phone with a peak speed of 189.33Mbps. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 took the third spot with a maximum median download speed of 184.69Mbps.

Speedtest Intelligence Report Q3 2023

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the second offering from the South Korean tech giant on this list. This one managed to achieve a maximum download speed of 181.04 and a peak median upload speed of 13.88Mbps. Lastly, the iPhone 15 took fifth place on the list with a max median download speed of 172.12Mbps.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra offered the best latency of 52ms during the Q4 2023

While iPhone 15 Pro models were the fastest in terms of download speeds, the Galaxy S23 Ultra offered the best latency. The Galaxy S23 Ultra offered a latency of 52ms, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max had a latency of 54ms. Notably, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 also managed to perform better than the iPhones with a latency of 53ms.

Ookla has also mentioned that it didn’t find any statistical winner when it comes to the combined performance. Samsung offered an average median download speed of 113.74Mbps and an upload speed of 10.51Mbps. As for Apple, it offered a peak download performance of 103.74Mbps and a max upload speed of 9.20Mbps.

The Snapdragon X70 5G recorded the fastest median download speeds

As for the chipsets, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 5G managed to achieve the fastest median download speed at 205.38Mbps. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was the second fastest chipset with a download speed of 173.55Mbps. The third place was taken by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 at 169.27Mbps. Lastly, the Snapdragon X65 5G (151.54Mbps) and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (149.65Mbps) took fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Top Telecom Operators US Q4 2023

Notably, T-Mobile has been revealed to be the fastest top mobile operator during the period with a max speed of 188.96Mbps. Also, Verizon Wireless and AT&T were distant runners-up with a speed of 91.62Mbps and 90.82Mbps, respectively.


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